“How many more nice words I can say about Valtteri?” – Lewis Hamilton considers Valtteri Bottas a strong Mercedes teammate who keeps him on his toes.
Mercedes were supremely dominant this season as they won their seventh consecutive F1 title. The partnership of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas played a crucial role in it. This kind of understanding was not seen between Hamilton and his previous partner Nico Rosberg.
And when suggested that Bottas’ performance was a disappointment, Hamilton vehemently disagreed. The Finn gave it his all and finished a deserved second behind his teammate. He also stressed the good relationship they share outside the paddock.
“I don’t think Valtteri needs to defend his performance and I don’t feel like I need to. I think he’s continued to work at it and we’ve definitely had very close qualifyings, particularly this year. Like I’ve said before, it’s never easy having strong team-mates. It’s a constant battle between you, both mentally and emotionally throughout the year.
“What’s really great with us is that we fight it out hard on-track but then when we’re outside, we manage to maintain a gentleman working relationship and I think that’s a big showing of his personality and character as a man. I know next year he will take more steps, so I’ve got to work a way and figure out how I can find some more speed for next year.”
Valtteri Bottas reviews his F1 2020 season
Bottas considers it to be a mixed season, with results not going his away, but improvements in his performances and driving ability. The duo are set to race for Mercedes next season, as they aim for yet another title,
“Of course I didn’t meet my targets for the year in terms of results. But now, looking at the big picture, there are so many positive things and so many more lessons learned about driving and about myself. It’s everything I can carry into next year and really turn that into strength and try again.”
