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Toto Wolff left feeling impressed with step-up from Bottas in 2018

Toto Wolff left feeling impressed with step-up from Bottas in 2018

09-12-2018 09:14

Toto Wolff believes Valtteri Bottas demonstrated a step-up from his debut season at Mercedes in 2018. He claims the Finn should have been leading the championship after round four if it wasn't for unfortunate events.

In the second half of the season, Bottas very much became Lewis Hamilton's wingman in his successful quest to beat Sebastian Vettel. But reflecting on the first part of the season, Wolff was left feeling impressed.

"I think he performed at a higher level in the first half of the season and that is reflected by the points. He would have been leading the championship after Baku," Wolff told the press at the FIA Prize Gala.

In Azerbaijan, Bottas was leading in the latter stages of the race but an unlucky puncture ended any chance of seeing the chequered flag first. In Austria, Bottas was on pole but retired from the race following mechanical issues.

The Mercedes team boss opted to use Bottas as a support for Hamilton who was in a difficult battle for the championship. This role ultimately led Bottas to give up a race win for Hamilton. Wolff claimed this affected Bottas mental state within the team.

"The moment you take away the ability to win the championship for a driver that is so focused on becoming a world champion if he is in a Mercedes that has a negative impact," Wolff said.

"It has also impacted Valtteri even though he says 'no, I'm fine'. He is a fighter, and I'm sure that this is a big blow that you have to mentally digest."