According to Finnish Viaplay reporter Mervi Kallio, Valtteri Bottas is more comfortable with Alfa Romeo. The Finnish driver is now the frontrunner for the Swiss team and he is very happy with that, as well as the support he can expect from team principal Frédéric Vasseur.

After five difficult seasons with Mercedes in the shadow of Lewis Hamilton, the Finn seems very happy at Alfa Romeo. Bottas, unlike Mercedes, cannot fight for wins now. Still, with 46 points, he cannot be dissatisfied with his first half of the season with the Swiss team.

Stressful

Kallio says in conversation with Formule1.com Kallio says that the last year (at Mercedes) was very stressful for Bottas. "Finnish drivers may have an image of being cool and unflappable, thanks to Iceman Kimi Räikkönen and two-time champion Mika Häkkinen, but of course they are still people," Kallio adds.

She continues that everyone is different and deals with things differently. During her work, the Finnish driver often tries to remind herself that drivers are just people. "They don't find it easy to learn all the time either and hear that people think they are not doing their job properly."

More emotional?

In addition, Bottas is a very different type to Räikkönen says Kallio: "I don't know if I would call him more emotional, but things get under his skin more with Valtteri." The Finnish reporter has also noticed that Bottas, who regularly appears in front of her camera every Grand Prix weekend, has been feeling good about himself since the start of his Alfa Romeo adventure.

"He is clearly more relaxed now that he has left Mercedes. He has also always said he wanted clarity about his future, a contract for several years, without always wondering if he would be back the following year."With a three-year deal in place, he has that bit of certainty. He also knows his place in the team and his role as team leader. The Finn also says that team boss Frederic Vasseur has often said that he sees Bottas as a pillar on which the team can build for years.