Bottas still targeting championship dream

Valtteri Bottas has insisted that his 'dream' of becoming the Formula One world champion at some point is still the thing that motivates him to get behind the wheel in each race, despite consistently coming out second best to team-mate and current championship leader, Lewis Hamilton

The Finn is currently fourth in the driver rankings for the 2018 season, and although he has claimed six podium positions, he is yet to claim the flag in any Grand Prix so far, with Hamilton having won seven with the same car.

He is viewed by many as being the secondary driver to Hamilton, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff previously describing him as a good 'wingman'.

However, Bottas claims the individual success of a drivers' title is still the goal.

"I'm happy where I am because Lewis being Lewis, quick driver, he keeps me very motivated," Bottas told CNN.

"I want to be ahead of him, me as a driver, you can always learn from another driver.

"The goal was to be a world champion and it still is. So I'm still chasing my dreams, trying to reach the goal I said to myself and pretty much all the people around when I was six.

"I'm still realistically on that path, there's still a possibility for that in the future so I think I've done quite well so far but of course, I want to win my goal."

Per capita, Finland has produced more world champions than any other country. Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen, have four titles between them, and Bottas has provided his opinion on why he thinks such a small country can produce such gifted drivers.

"I think for sure, part of that comes from being Finnish and the way we are," the 29-year-old continued.

"Our mentality is really good for the sport, we don't tend to give up and being in difficult situations under pressure, which is good in this sport.

"We don't mind being alone because in the end in that car you are quite alone and that's how it feels."

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