Valtteri Bottas: “The work has only just begun”

Valtteri Bottas dreamed of it since he was six years old when he began his career in karting. It is now reality: the Finn will race in Formula 1 in 2013, at Williams, replacing Bruno Senna. “It’s an incredible feeling”, describes the pilot. “Being with a team like Williams, with all the track record we have, makes it even more special. I worked hard to get here but the real work has only just begun, I now have to prepare for the biggest challenge of my career. » Test driver for the Grove team since 2010, Valtteri Bottas will be surrounded by people he knows well. An advantage, he believes. “I know my engineers very well and we know how to each get the best out of ourselves? So we will be able to focus straight away on 2013”.

For his first season in Formula 1, the 23-year-old Finn already has one goal: to prove that he deserves his seat. “It's difficult to plan goals before the start of the season, but I'm going to try to make the most of this opportunity and show that the team was right to offer me a seat”, explains the 3 GP2011 champion. “I would like, at the end of 2013, to be able to step back and tell myself that I have progressed as a driver, while helping the team to improve performance on the track”.

To achieve this, Valtteri Bottas will be able to count on the experience gained this season, when he replaced Bruno Senna during the first free practice session of 15 Grand Prix. “It will be a big help, there will only be a handful of circuits on the 2013 calendar that I have never ridden on. There will always be a lot to learn, but I will be able to go to most of the races next season with some knowledge. » First big meeting for the Finn, March 17 in Australia.