Valtteri Bottas calls out for "better" tyres in 2019

Valtteri Bottas has asked Pirelli for better tyres over the winter break. Perhaps they're on his Christmas list! The Mercedes driver suggests the compounds this season have forced drivers to manage rather than push 100%.

Tyre wear and blistering has been mentioned a lot this season, particularly when the track is hot. In Austria, many drivers described their cars as "undriveable".

"We have had a lot of management to do in practically every race this season and especially in the last few," Bottas told Brazil's Globo.

"Once we reach a certain temperature, we know it will happen so we don't push it, we just try not to exceed those temperatures."

We know it's a massive talking point in the paddock. Tyre temperature was more or less the first thing he and Lewis Hamilton spoke about in the lounge before the podiums.

Hankook, a Korean tyre manufacturer, are challenging Pirelli in the bids to be the sole tyre supplier in F1.

Bottas hopes Pirelli get on top of the tyre issues in time for the start of the 2019 season.

"I participated in some of the tests for next year's tyres a few weeks ago. I'm sure they are working hard. I hope it's a bit better," Bottas concluded.