Coming into this season, every F1 fan knew that the closest challenger to reigning World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, would be his teammate Valtteri Bottas.

However, after the initial victory at the Austrian Grand Prix that instilled some hope in fans, a pattern emerged that we have become all too familiar with.

Hamilton soon got into his groove and Bottas’ title hopes began to fade away rapidly. The Finn now sits 69(!) points behind Hamilton, who has 230 points to his name and seems all set to win his 7th title.

While Bottas has regularly failed to silence his critics, Hamilton continues to deliver results with freakish consistency. There shouldn’t even be a debate as to who is the better driver.

However, Bottas who is true to his own self-belief thinks otherwise. And fair play to him for doing so. He says, “Of course I have to believe that (I’m a better driver than Lewis). Of course, I believe that when I’m at my best I know I can be better than him.”

Nevertheless, Bottas does concede the fact that Hamilton has outperformed him over the last few years. He adds, “Obviously there are days that he’s better, no doubt. Overall, in the last few years being his teammate, he has been better.

“But I don’t like to do politics, I just love driving. I like fair but hard racing and that’s what I do, that’s how I’ve always raced and that’s how I’ll go on.”

Valtteri Bottas satisfied despite an alarming points gap to Lewis Hamilton

About his showings this season, the Finn says, “I’ve been pretty pleased with my performances this season, especially compared to previous years. Especially my race pace has been really good, so I think the performance has been there.

“It has been about the small details, get them right, and get things to go my way as well. But overall performance has been pretty positive.”

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Although Bottas may think his performances have been really good, the critics refuse to agree. The Silver Arrows #2 has won all of 2 races this season compared to Lewis’ 7 and has failed to capitalize during race starts and hasn’t been able to push Hamilton all the way as everyone hoped he would.

Nevertheless, the season isn’t over yet. With six races to go, starting from the one in Portimao on the 25th of October, can Bottas spring a late assault on Hamilton’s crown?

You wouldn’t wager your house on it, but considering it’s 2020, all bets are off.