Is there a psychological problem with Bottas?

Spectators at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix certainly noted the drop in performance of Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) Sunday on the Yas Marina circuit. The Finn set off alongside his partner Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) on the first row of the starting grid, and could aim for victory. 

However, the former pilot Williams finished this 21st round of the season at a very meager fifth place. The rare times when TV production has captured the evolution of Valtteri Bottas, it was during the duels lost against the two Red Bull de Daniel Ricciardo et Max Verstappen. 

The latter even gave the 3 GP2011 champion a sharp wheelie, as if the Mercedes imagined itself alone at that moment, while its opponent was standing on the inside of the bend. As if Valtteri Bottas was no longer completely focused on his driving. 

This timid race caused the loss of his fourth place in the final general classification of Drivers, to the benefit of Max Verstappen. “The GP started well, then it turned into… this. Not great. I think this round sums up my season pretty well., stated the Nordic laconically.

I felt good, the pace was good enough, then I started to lock my wheels and lost ground. I then hit Max and had a slow puncture in my opinion. »

A tough evening under the lights for @ValtteriBottas, he has to settle for P5 at @ymcofficial #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/r16IThCwNG

—Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) November 25, 2018

His director at Mercedes, Toto wolff, publicly admitted his concern about the attitude of his pilot. “Valtteri was very good until Baku, he analyzed on the English channel Channel 4. I think if he had won this event without the puncture, he would have taken the lead overall. 

After a long discussion, I believe that when you no longer have a chance at the championship, and you know that you have to give up, it's like it hurts you mentally. » For sure, the team instructions in Sochi (Russia) should not have boosted the morale of Valtteri Bottas!

"I hope that's not what's happening, speaking of a psychological crisis. He assures me otherwise, he is a strong Finn and a warrior but now we have to get him back on his feet and back into good shape.", explained the Austrian.

Find the analysis of the F1 season finale carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2193 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.