Hamilton backs Bottas: 'It's not easy being my teammate'

Lewis Hamilton flatters, he cajoles, he showers with praise this garage neighbor who is much less cumbersome than his predecessor Nico Rosberg, much more devious. 

Despite a condensed 2020 calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the English rider found a way to win a historic 7th title, 3 rounds before the end of the season. 

On the eve of the first free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton is 110 points ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas, which is “Webberized” (or “Barrichello-ized”) a little more each year. The next attempt will be successful. Or not. 

« The season is not over, there are still 3 races to go so it is possible to end on a positive note even if the championship is already played, recites the Finn from Bahrain.

Looking at the season as a whole, there are many positive lessons to be learned. It's still not enough to win the title. I was also unlucky at times. (0 points at Silverstone and the Nürburgring due to technical problems for example, Editor's note). In some races, Lewis was simply better. On others, it came down to small details like strategy. 

The lead in points may seem significant but the gaps on the track are slim. I have not managed to constantly evolve at my best level. I will continue to attack to improve because I am convinced of progressing each year ».

• Rosberg's example

Asked about the lack of recognition from which Bottas suffers, Hamilton played him as a grand lord. Magnanimous. 

« The gap in the championship is what it is but the margins in qualifying were extremely small so Valtteri was able to close the gap on a flying lap, declares the boss of the set. This was already the case last year but he was able to make the challenge even tougher this season.

My consistency in the race made the difference but if you look at the performances in detail there is not much between us. And Valtteri was also unlucky when it came to reliability. This tends to increase the point gap. 

When I say that Valtteri deserves more respect, I mean that we have to look at his direct opponent. It's not easy being my teammate. Every weekend, he arrives with the same determination. He never complains or criticizes the car in any way. He says : “I have to do better.” 

I don't know many other drivers who do the same. This is something he and I have in common. I think he is one of the strongest competitors mentally ».

In 2015, when he surrendered victory and the title to Hamilton at the United States GP, Rosberg drew from the pain of defeat and the depths of his soul the driving force that would drive his victorious campaign the following year .

The German started by winning the last 3 races of the 2015 season. Can Bottas do the same during the upcoming Middle East tour?