F1 News

Bottas ready to “beat everyone”

Bottas ready to “beat everyone”

11-03-2019 19:42

Bevan Youl

Valtteri Bottas has made it clear that his aim for the 2019 season is to “beat everyone” after the winter break and a poor 2018 has upped his motivation.

He secured three wins in 2017 in his first year with Mercedes, but failed to win any last year and dropped to fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.
 
Bottas’ seat could potentially be under threat for next year with Esteban Ocon possibly in line as he is working more with the team.
 
The Finn used the off-season to recuperate and better his mindset for this year.
 
He told AP of how he dealt with 2018: "I got to Finland, got properly smashed a few times, did anything I wanted to do basically.
 
"Then I got a camera, I started photographing, it’s like a new hobby now so sometimes went for a walk somewhere and took pictures.

"I also travelled with my wife and some friends to South America, just for a proper holiday, didn’t think about Formula One.

"When I came back I decided that I’m going to beat everyone this year."

With his new confidence for this year he revealed he thinks he has the potential to win the championship this year.

"Yes, that is my aim and I feel I can do it," he said.

"That’s the goal but how to get there, that’s going to be hard work.

"I feel it’s a nice fresh start.

"I’ve learned that the first half of the season is always very important. I started the year pretty well, just sometimes lost some points because of different things.

"I’m ready to go for it and try to be a better me."