Valtteri Bottas is under pressure at Mercedes this season. The team is making a choice between him and George Russell for 2022, but the Finn says that also means he is likely to perform less well.
Bottas has been driving for Mercedes since 2017, when he was brought in last-minute to replace the suddenly departed Nico Rosberg. The former Williams driver has not been an uncontroversial choice from day one and was under discussion several times. First, he had to battle with Esteban Ocon, and now the pressure is on with the possible arrival of Russell.
Pressure on Bottas takes its toll
Bottas is reportedly unhappy about this, as this pressure and the fact that he only has a one-year contract mean that he cannot focus on racing. ''It’s just speculation and it’s just guesswork based on what I’m feeling right now, but it would certainly have saved a lot of energy and a lot of unnecessary pressure,'' the Mercedes driver said according to Express.
''Not just focusing on the moment, but knowing you’re with the team and can focus on next year and all the improvements you want to share with the team for the future. It would certainly have been a different peace of mind'', Bottas concludes.