Finnish F1 driver Valtteri Bottas is starting a new chapter in 2022 with the Alfa Romeo racing team. After a fairly successful stint with the Mercedes team, Bottas has left the team at the end of the 2021 season. The Finn had some really strong weekends with the Silver Arrows but admittedly, those did not result in a title challenge.

Bottas replaced the 2016 world champion, Nico Rosberg, in his seat alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2017. Since then, he tasted victory on 10 occasions and finished on the podium on 58 occasions. He also had 20 pole positions with the team and 43 front-row starts. Despite all the achievements, the Finn was always seen as a wingman to Hamilton in the team.

As per Bottas himself, being a teammate to Lewis Hamilton is never easy, as many have seen during 2013 to 2016 with Rosberg. Sharing the garage with a multiple-time world champion often cost Bottas valuable finishes, but he managed to make a mark for himself in the sport.

Valtteri Bottas claims he is unbeatable on his best days

Bottas’ best championship finish came in 2019 and 2020 where he ended up being second to teammate Hamilton. In a recent interview, Bottas reflected on his time in Mercedes where he felt invincible at times.

“I honestly feel like on my best days, whether in race or qualifying, I’m unbeatable. Unfortunately, I don’t always have the best days. But nobody has that!” said Bottas as reported by Formule1.

Though many considered him a wingman to Lewis Hamilton, Bottas had his ambitions when he joined the pack. His primary goal was to win the world championship with the team. He was a championship leader on 5 occasions but couldn’t capitalize on the lead.

“I can’t say I’ve exceeded my expectations,” Bottas admits. “I have high expectations of myself. Maybe a little too high. I didn’t surpass anything. What I failed at is that I didn’t win the championship. But that wasn’t easy next to Lewis. He always had the upper hand,” he concluded.

Now that he has left the shadow of Hamilton and is the main man in his new team, there is a fair chance that he will function with more autonomy than ever. The 2022 season comes with a lot of unpredictability. Where do you think Bottas will finish next season?

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