Valtteri Bottas thinks Mercedes is the underdog in Qatar. According to the Finn, Red Bull Racing is therefore the favourite. Bottas believes the rival team has been the stronger of the two all year.
Red Bull better than Mercedes
Mercedes have done it before in recent years; taking the role of the underdog. Bottas doesn't think they will be favourites for the upcoming race in Qatar either. Bottas previously indicated that little can be said about it, as Qatar is a new circuit on the F1 calendar.
Nevertheless, Bottas explains during the FIA press conference to Formel1.de: "If I look at this season, I would say that Red Bull has the upper hand throughout the year. There have been races where we did well, but overall they were better."
Is Bottas telling the truth or challenging?
With just three races to go and a lead for Max Verstappen in the drivers' championship and Mercedes ahead of Red Bull in the constructors' championship, psychological games could also play a role.
Bottas calls Red Bull Racing the favourite despite knowing little about the track's characteristics: "So I think we as a team will be the underdog again this weekend."