Bottas sent Wolff message after P6 in Bahrain: 'Steps made at Alfa'

When it was announced that Valtteri Bottas would be driving for Alfa Romeo in 2022, many did not see it coming that the Finn would be starting alongside former teammate Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain. Yet that is what is happening. Fred Vasseur's team has clearly made a leap forward over the winter and as a result they are now able to fight in the midfield.

For Bottas, it will be a relief, as Alfa Romeo was often found at the rear in 2021. “I’m happy with it and this actually gives me a lot of hope. If I had ended up in P18, it would be a slightly bigger mountain to climb," Bottas acknowledges to The Race. It also gives the Finn confidence to fight for points, in his first race for Alfa Romeo.

"I see no reason why we shouldn’t be able to fight with any team except Red Bull and Ferrari." Because those two teams are a class apart, Mercedes is condemned to a role at the front of the midfield. As a result, Hamilton will start next to Bottas and George Russell will start on the fifth row next to Pierre Gasly.

A disappointment for Toto Wolff, who in turn is happy for Bottas. Last season, he took the decision not to keep the Finn with the team. Bottas sent another message to the Mercedes team boss after qualifying, saying he was looking forward to the battles with Mercedes. "I’m happy for him to be honest. I’m happy for Valtteri that he’s made the move to Alfa, he’s the lead driver," Wolff concluded.