F1 2022 Guide – Cross interview Valtteri Bottas – Frédéric Vasseur

Do you remember your first meeting?

Valtteri Bottas : Spa Eurocup 2008!

Frédéric Vasseur: You were with Motopark Academy.

Valtteri Bottas: I stole the start.

And it was the following year that you began your collaboration?

FV: Yes, with ART Grand Prix in F3 Euroseries. A somewhat difficult start with a lot of small problems which relegated us to 30 points in the championship, but Valtteri still managed to climb onto the championship podium won by his teammate Jules Bianchi.

Vasseur and Bottas, here in 2009, when the Finn was racing in F3 © DPPI

Was Fred a good boss then?

VB: It was okay (little laughing pout. Editor’s note)! Well, obviously he wanted the best results and demanded a lot from the team and the drivers. That's what's expected of the boss anyway. Conversely, if you gave everything, if the results were there, you were paid in return. It was a period when I was getting my education. As Fred says, quite a few problems and errors on my part... I often visited the gravel pits during 2009. On the other hand, when everything fell into place, nothing could stop us. . (Laughs)

FV: Especially in GP3, in 2011.

V.B. : À partir de la mi-saison, n