Hamilton vs Bottas: "There will be friction"

Lewis Hamilton might have won the Formula One championship comfortably in the end, but teammate Bottas believes he can take the fight to him in 2018.

Valtteri Bottas intends to come out swinging come Sunday after a lacklustre first season with reigning champions Mercedes. Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, the Finn has said he will go wheel-to-wheel with his more experienced adversary and expects "friction" between the Mercedes pairing.

Having finished 58 points behind his teammate and world champion Lewis Hamilton in the same machinery last time out, Bottas needs to perform this year as his Mercedes contract is only until the end of the season. Bottas won three races last season and has set his sights on Hamilton, having no qualms making his intentions known ahead of the season.

“If Lewis and I are able to battle harder on track and go wheel-to-wheel then for sure there will be friction,” said Bottas. “If it comes to winning a race or defending a certain position then you go for it.

“We have spoken with the team about Nico’s season; what kind of things he did, how much he worked with the team, the things he focused on, and beating Lewis. But I don’t see the need to speak to Nico. By working in my own way, and my direction with the team there is no reason why we cannot fight for the title.”

A toxic atmosphere existed at the team throughout the time Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were at the Silver Arrows, Rosberg using every ounce of his ability and then some cerebral instincts taking advantage of his teammates distractions away from the track to take his first and only title in 2016 before going on to retire that winter.

Bottas will have to find another level in 2018 with a lot of reported interest in replacing him with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who's contract also expires come the end of the season.