Valtteri Bottas reveals continued motivation despite impending Mercedes exit

Bottas, Mercedes, ItalianGP — Photo: © LAT Images

Valtteri Bottas

Bottas reveals continued motivation despite impending Mercedes exit

Finnish driver will join Alfa Romeo next season

Ian Parkes

Sunday 3 October 2021 18:15

Valtteri Bottas has revealed he remains motivated to end his Mercedes career on a high by claiming a fifth F1 constructors' title as a partner with Lewis Hamilton.

Bottas' five-year stint with Mercedes comes to an end in just over two months' time, with the Finnish driver joining Alfa Romeo on a multi-year contract.

With Hamilton embroiled in a battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen for the drivers' crown, Bottas is now clearly playing the 'number two' role in the team, but that does not mean he is any less driven.

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With his exit looming, asked as to how he retains his motivation, Bottas said: "I want to win and also I really want us to get the fifth constructors' title.

"And if it's not me winning the championship, I want it to be Lewis. For me, individual race results, that is the motivation."

Bottas "not worried" by Alfa Romeo form

Bottas appreciates in switching to a team struggling at the back of the grid, he faces a very different, and potentially difficult challenge.

Prior to the Russian Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo had scored just two points before Kimi Raikkonen achieved the team's best result of this season with eighth.

Assessing Alfa's form and what to expect next year, Bottas added: "I know they haven't really developed this year's car and they haven't really progressed much this year.

"I know what they have put in place for the future so I'm not too worried. It's not going to suddenly improve for them, that's a fact.

"And next year there are different cars so I'm obviously more hopeful than the results are now."