Lewis Hamilton reveals secret to Valtteri Bottas extension: He makes me look good!

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton reveals secret to Bottas extension: He makes me look good!

The Finn was given a new deal this week.

Martin Macdonald

Thursday 29 August 2019 18:39

Lewis Hamilton joked that he is happy for Valtteri Bottas to continue driving for Mercedes as the Finn makes him look younger.

On Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes announced that Bottas will be staying with the team for the 2020 campaign, despite speculation before the summer break that he could be replaced by either George Russell or Esteban Ocon.

Hamilton has always enjoyed a courteous relationship with Bottas, especially compared to his fractured one with Nico Rosberg, and is happy to continue the partnership with the Silver Arrows.

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Hamilton smiled at Spa: "He makes me look good because he looks older than me, even though he's younger than me, so that's always a good thing!

"Honestly, it's really just the rapport..

“We've always had respect between us and that's not really very common, particularly when it's so competitive.

"He wakes up and wants to beat me. I wake up and I naturally want to beat him, but we shake each other's hands as men.

"The energy's just really nice within the organisation.

"When we're in the office and we get in the car we try and do the best job we can. We don’t come back and bring in any negativity and pull down individuals within the team. It’s always quite uplifting no matter what."

Mercedes are set to win sixth consecutive constructors’ championship this season, having dominated in the V6 hybrid era, and Hamilton praised the atmosphere within the team.

Bottas had options if Mercedes chose OconRead more

"I think continuity is always a great thing,” Hamilton said. "I think we have a great environment that we work in, we've created over time.

"It's going to be the fourth year. We have a great working relationship, Valtteri and I.

"I think it was a smart decision from the team, to be honest, and I really look forward to working with him. I really enjoy working with him in general. We get on well both outside and on the track."