Hamilton is beatable - Bottas

Valtteri Bottas has insisted that four-time Formula One champion and his current team-mate Lewis Hamilton can indeed be beaten despite his dominance last season, but hailed the Englishman as the toughest partner he has ever had in his career behind the wheel in F1.

In 2016, Mercedes won the constructor's championship through Nico Rosberg only for the driver to announce his retirement from the sport not long after. That meant the Silver Arrows needed a new driver to partner Hamilton, and Bottas was eventually selected.

The Finn won three Grand Prix races last year, including the finale in Abu Dhabi, but was never a real contender for the driver's title, with Hamilton going on to win with a few races to spare.

When asked if he thinks he can beat Hamilton, Bottas responded positively.

"I think he is.

"He’s the toughest teammate I’ve ever had. he’s one of the best drivers ever in F1. He was the best driver last season.

"There’s no driver that is unbeatable. That’s what I believe. I believe in myself also. I believe in all the things I have been learning since the five years I’ve been in F1.

"I was able to show that I can do it in many races - not during 21 races every time but I know it’s there, I know it’s possible. That’s my thinking."

When Rosberg won in 2016, his relationship with Hamilton was poor, which is in stark contrast to the professional and respect-filled atmosphere between the Brit and Bottas. The latter still hopes to increase the pressure on the champion this year, however.

"I would like to put more pressure on Lewis on track and be battling wheel to wheel with him more often than last year. If I perform well, then that’s going to be the case and that will naturally cause some tension," the Finn continued.

"That can be a positive thing and makes both of us try even more to leave no stones unturned in terms of performance and keeps us pushing even more.

"I think he means he wants us both to be peforming on a 100 percent level, and at the same time it can be some healthy competition."