Bottas now has no reason to doubt himself in title fight with Hamilton
Bottas now has no reason to doubt himself in title fight with Hamilton
Valtteri Bottas insists he has no reason to doubt himself in this year's Formula 1 world title fight with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Following a win apiece for Bottas and Hamilton in the season-opening back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring, there is every indication the battle for this year's championship will be between the two Mercedes drivers.
Bottas has yet to beat Hamilton over a season in his three years with the team, notably due to the six-time F1 champion's consistency throughout a campaign.
The Finn is confident he now has the mental strength and the talent to take on Hamilton and beat him in a head-to-head duel.
"I think in any sport, and especially in Formula 1 – it’s quite a special sport, it’s quite easy to doubt yourself – but for the moment I have no reason to," said Bottas.
"Obviously, over the years you find the right tools, how to find your confidence and the trust in yourself and what you are doing. I have no reason to doubt any of my ability or skills.
"I know Lewis had a strong weekend [in the Styrian Grand Prix]. He did a good job. Also, based on last weekend [for the Austrian GP], I know what I’m capable of.
"So, I really feel many improvements in my driving since last year, so that’s why I’m confident it’s going to be a good battle for the championship this year.
"I’m not going to let one weekend, even multiple weekends, drag me down. I’ve learned that. [I'm] Just going to focus on the job and improving myself as we go."
In particular, Bottas again has a settled personal life after going through a divorce last year which, in conjunction with the long off-season due to the pandemic lockdown, means he feels better equipped to take on Hamilton.
"I do, but I think many drivers might do because everyone had such a long break, an unusual time to do other things and properly recharge the batteries and have time for yourself," said Bottas, who holds an early six-point lead over Hamilton in the drivers' standings.
"Yes, for me, I feel very re-energised, and many things have happened in my private life since the end of last year, and everything is quite different for me.
"I just feel good, I feel confident, and from the race, it has given me confidence that I saw my race pace was good, and if my start had been different then I could have been fighting for the win.
"That's why no single bad result will affect my confidence because it is early days in the season, but I'm definitely in the championship fight, and that's a nice, super-motivating place to be."
Before you go...
"Misconceived and poorly informed" - Racing Point rip into Renault protest
McLaren apologise to Sainz after 'destroying' his race
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Hamilton WARNED by Ferrari chief as legend tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
- 1 hour ago
Verstappen prepared for 'ultimate test' as F1 star tipped to 'move aside' for REPLACEMENT - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 star given CRUDE x-rated gift at Chinese GP
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo gives VITAL life advice with F1 twist
- Yesterday 21:57
Hamilton gains HUGE win over Verstappen at unusual venue
- Yesterday 21:13
Hamilton WARNED by Ferrari chief over performance levels
- Yesterday 20:27
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
Related news
Hamilton gains HUGE win over Verstappen at unusual venue
Hamilton WARNED by Ferrari chief over performance levels
Mercedes announce MAJOR £5.9 million loss in profits
Hamilton admits 'biggest' surprise at F1’s lack of progress on gender gap
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860