Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has played down former Silver Arrows’ world champion Nico Rosberg’s advice – saying “it doesn’t interest” him.
Bottas just fought out a difficult season on a personal note. World champion and team-mate Lewis Hamilton completely outperformed his Finnish counterpart, on his way to a fifth world championship.
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The Finn, however, didn’t claim victory in one race for the whole of 2018 – coming close on numerous occasions.
So when a former world champion offered Bottas some advice, in the form of Rosberg, the Finn didn’t react well.
“No (I don’t need advice),” Bottas told Formel1.de. “Every person and every athlete is completely different. I have to find my own way to be the best version of me – as a driver and as a person.”
Bottas will have a different season to what he is perhaps used to next season, with Esteban Ocon waiting in the Mercedes ranks, wanting the Finn’s seat.
“This sport is funny,” Bottas explained. “You never know what will happen in the future.”
Ocon has just ended his spell at Force India, with Lance Stroll replacing him for 2019, leaving the highly-rated French driver without a seat in the Formula One paddock for the next campaign. Mercedes have confirmed him as their “third driver”.
The Finn is aware that he needs to deliver the goods to stay in Formula One. He knows that Ocon may not remain as the 3rd driver for long if Valtteri fails to live up to expectations.
So, he has vowed to adopt a “drive it like he stole it” attitude in Formula 1 next year in a bid to bounce back from a difficult 2018 campaign. So the big question is, will he be on par with Lewis Hamilton or will he fizzle out, opening the door for Ocon? Only 2019 can hold all the answers
