Whether it is Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at Red Bull or when Valtteri Bottas was still there at Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton, top F1 teams, expressly or impliedly, have a number 1 and number 2 driver. The choice is mainly there to avoid any conflict between the two drivers on the track and to optimize results in the team’s favor. However, it can get a lot troublesome and toxic if such a hierarchy spills over to their lives outside of F1. Living his life more freely and as per his own terms now, Bottas recently hit out at his former employers for curbing his freedom while his teammate was allowed to carry himself whichever way he pleased.
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Bottas becoming the unsaid number 2 driver at Mercedes was never a surprise given the vast difference between his abilities on the track in contrast to those of Lewis’. However, the Silver Arrows’ own strategies and calls did not do him any favors. They often asked the Finnish driver to give up his place to let his teammate pass. At one point, he had had enough of it and even contemplated quitting the team.
Valtteri Bottas comes out all guns blazing against Mercedes
Since last year after joining Alfa Romeo, many fans noticed a change in Bottas’ attitude. They felt that he looked a lot more relaxed and expressed himself more freely. Then we witnessed him having a great time in Australia and sporting a mullet in Drive to Survive’s latest season.
Valtteri feels that would not have been possible if he was still driving for Mercedes as it is a workplace with a more professional setting. Some fans agreed with him while calling out Hamilton’s privilege of doing anything he wants. Others failed to find any merit in his argument, again quoting Lewis’ example.
Have a look at some reactions to his comments on Twitter.
Only Hamilton can do whatever he wants, but no surprise as Bottas always was the clear no. 2 driver
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Ironic when Lewis & Mercedes are always saying how you should be allowed to be yourself, especially after the whole jewellery thing
Mercedes made allowances for Lewis, essentially after he Won World Drivers Championships for them…Mercedes under Toto, is the Most Corporate Team on the Grid, probably because he came from Tech Finance…
Others found Bottas’ criticism inaccurate citing Hamilton’s lifestyle which Mercedes allows without any restrictions.
Actually really surprised by this. Lewis seems to have flourished while working with Mercedes, compared to his Mclaren days. I would think the same courtesy was extended to Bottas. But then again renewing him for only 1 year contracts probably kept him on his toes too much
Some felt the Brackley-based team could not have kept different standards for their two drivers.
I want to believe but I'm finding this to be a hard stretch on the truth. Lewis has so much leeway to be himself so I'm not sure why Mercedes would clamp down on Valtteri's expression of himself?
Bottas in his statement said that he “wouldn’t have been allowed” to wear a mullet at Mercedes. Some fans felt his criticism did not make much sense because he never tried it during his time there and therefore his opinion was simply based on conjecture.
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I'm not sure I believe that. He's clearly happier (and becoming Australian somehow) at Alfa, but I'm not sure that's the reason. Merc were happy to let Lewis transform and be happier so they would have done the same for Valtteri.
Which side of the fence are you on? Do you believe Mercedes kept different standards of conduct for Hamilton and Bottas when they were teammates?