Bottas: I'm going to beat everyone

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has claimed that, since he returned from his holiday after the 2018 season, his goal for the 2019 Formula 1 campaign is "to beat everyone" and finally put a disappointing campaign behind him after being labeled a "wingman" by his boss.

The Finn started last year in positive fashion, at least in terms of personal performance, but some unfortunate luck meant he wasn't able to get over the line as a grand prix winner.

As he lost further ground in the championship race, he eventually played second-fiddle to his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, and was forced to implement team orders by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who requested during a race that Bottas allowed Hamilton to pass him by to win.

Subsequently, Wolff called Bottas a great "wingman" - something the driver took offence to at the time.

He has returned with a positive new attitude this year, and insists his goal remains to win the driver's title.

“When I came back I decided that I’m going to beat everyone this year," he told AP.

It’s the first race week of @F1 2019 ????

Ready to get the season started ????????

You excited? #VB77 @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/ovZtGuXVqT — Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) March 11, 2019

When asked if his target was the championship, he said: "Yes, that is my aim and I feel I can do it. That’s the goal but how to get there, that’s going to be hard work."

Bottas recognises that he must take advantage of the occasions when he drives well - something which he failed at doing last year.

“I’ve learned that the first half of the season is always very important," he continued.

“I started the year pretty well, just sometimes lost some points because of different things. I’m ready to go for it and try to be a better me.”

MORE: Schumacher boys "need more time" to develop
MORE: Why Max Verstappen will be F1's compulsive viewing in 2019