F1 News

Bottas: But for now, my mission is clear: maximum attack for Mercedes

Bottas: "But for now, my mission is clear: maximum attack for Mercedes"

06-09-2021 12:56 Last update: 15:43
3

Valtteri Bottas will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Alfa Romeo in 2022. On Monday afternoon, the open secret was confirmed with George Russell expected to replace him. In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton is in the middle of a duel with Max Verstappen for the 2021 title. A battle in which Hamilton might need all the support he can get from Bottas. 

Maximum attack for Mercedes

During the Dutch Grand Prix, Bottas almost stole the fastest lap point away from his teammate. Mercedes had to reemphasise on the team radio that Hamilton needed the point after Bottas went purple in sectors one and two. The Finnish driver did back off, and Hamilton was able to get the fastest lap point back by 1.5 seconds. 

This was perhaps the first sign of Bottas going against Mercedes calls. He gave Hamilton plenty of margin, but it forced him into an extra pitstop where it has all gone wrong before. For example, Bottas' pitstop in Monaco where the crew were unable to remove the tyre. Following the announcement, Bottas confirmed he's on the maximum attack for Mercedes. 

"I am really pleased to have chosen my new challenge with Alfa Romeo, an exciting and iconic manufacturer, and by the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid. I'm as hungry as ever to race for results and when the time comes, for wins. But for now, my mission is clear: maximum attack for Mercedes, all the way to the final lap in Abu Dhabi," Bottas said in the Mercedes press release. 

Good times

Whilst Bottas may have played a supportive role to Hamilton's push for Drivers Championships, Bottas has won all the constructors' championships possible with the German team. He looks to add to this. 

"I am so proud of everything we have achieved together in my time with Mercedes - and it is not over yet, because we have our biggest challenge so far to try and claim our eighth constructors' title," Bottas added. 

"When I look back on my time with Mercedes, I want to be able to say that I squeezed every drop out of this opportunity and left nothing on the table; and I want to make sure that we finish our time together as champions. It has been a privilege and a great sporting challenge to work with Lewis, and the harmony in our relationship played a big part in the constructors' championships we won as teammates. Later this year, the time will come to say goodbye -that's not for now, but I would like to thank Toto and the team for the respect in how we took the decision together."