2018, the year Valtteri Bottas almost said goodbye to F1

Like a phoenix, Valtteri Bottas enjoys a second life at Alfa Romeo. Some feared that the Finn would follow the trajectory of his compatriot Kimi Räikönnen. Since the start of the season, the former resident of Mercedes proves the opposite. No stranger to his team's return to form, the 32-year-old driver seems to have rediscovered his passion and desire in Formula 1. A feeling that could have disappeared after his time with the star brand.  

At Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas had never managed to emerge from the shadow of Lewis Hamilton. Arriving at short notice to compensate for the surprise retirement of Nico Rosberg, the Finn could also have ended his career after two seasons. “ At the end of 2018 I almost quit, explains Valtteri Bottas in the podcast “My Big Break”. I was very close. Because I couldn't understand and cope with the fact that I couldn't beat Lewis in those two years. »

Valtteri Bottas, too much pressure on his shoulders

After losing the world crown in 2016, Lewis Hamilton returned more determined than ever. To recover his dues, the Briton had left only crumbs to his opponents. So much so that in two years, Valtteri Bottas had only climbed to the highest step of the podium four times. “ I put too much pressure on myself. Towards the end of 2018, especially when I started to have a support role in the team, I couldn't take it anymore, I really struggled », specifies the Finn.

The 2018 Russian Grand Prix, a bad memory for Valtteri Bottas. © Photo Eric Vargiolu / DPPI

The 2018 season took a turn at the Russian Grand Prix. That day, team instructions came to remind Valtteri Bottas that he was only the second driver at Mercedes. The end of the exercise then turned into a long way of the cross for the Finn. “ The last four races of 2018 were more painful than... You have to enjoy F1, it's quite nice, but it wasn't that at all. »

While thinking about his options for the rest of his career, Valtteri Bottas felt the need to isolate himself. “ I had a good break between the two seasons and I really had to think. I decided to take a break in South America and tried not to think about F1 at all while trying to rediscover the desire, the joy for the sport and the motivation », underlines the Finn. In search of the trigger, it was in January that he found the strength to continue fighting for his place in his Silver Arrow.  

Leave or stay at Mercedes

Before announcing his decision to Mercedes, only two options were available to Valtteri Bottas: continue or stop. Joining another team was not part of his plans. “ I had completely lost the joy of F1 and F1 racing. I was almost angry with F1, it's weird. I just needed a little rest. I was walking in a Finnish forest, in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes I like to disappear, go for an hour or two hike in the snow. I didn't move, I looked around me, and I felt this adrenaline. I was like, “Yeah, let’s do it.” » 

Valtteri Bottas in difficulty at Mercedes. © Photo DPPI

After the doubts, Valtteri Bottas responded in the best possible way to the criticisms and doubts concerning his level. For the opening round of the 2019 championship, he managed to place his Mercedes at the top. Along with a radio message of which he has the secret: “ To those it concerns: F**k you. "" I received a lot of criticism during the latter part of 18; should I be a Mercedes driver? Is he the right guy for the team? This started to annoy me. So it was basically for people who were starting to drag me down. I started using this as motivation for this race », Explains the Finn.

Even if he never managed to worry his teammate, Valtteri Bottas ended his 5 seasons at Mercedes with 10 victories, 20 pole positions and a record in qualifying. In Saturday's exercise, the Alfa Romeo driver had a series of 103 consecutive Q3s. A record which ended this season in Australia, where Bottas' story at Mercedes began in 2017. 

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