M-Sport say Bottas' rally debut was 'impressive'

Valtteri Bottas sampled a rally car for the first time in competition in the Arctic Lapland Rally and his performance left his team impressed. The Finn was the recipient of praise for his efforts and even recorded a stage victory before going on to finish fifth overall.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, team boss Rich Millener admitted that he was "very impressed with his driving".

"As you’d expect with a Formula 1 driver, the speed was nothing to worry about for him, but his technique between the trees was really good - he really seemed to enjoy himself.

“One of the differences the engineers noticed was in the driving style. He didn’t go to full throttle all the time. As soon as these guys in the WRC have the grip they’re full throttle. But in a Formula 1 car you’re constantly looking and searching for grip, so you don’t always go straight to the (throttle) stop.

“He’s done well. For your first ever rally to go to a World Rally Car you’ve never driven before, working with a team you don’t know and a co-driver you don’t know reading notes to your for the first time, fifth is not a bad result in -30C."

Millener added that he was hopeful of another outing at some point for the Mercedes F1 driver and earmarked a test later in the year as a possibility.

"I would hope to see him back in the car, it’s good for the sport and interesting to see this crossover. If we had the opportunity, we’d like to bring him to a test in Britain - but his calendar is very, very busy."