close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Bottas, Mercedes, Hungary

Mercedes eroded Bottas confidence by 'constantly pulling mat from under him' - Hakkinen

Bottas, Mercedes, Hungary — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes eroded Bottas confidence by 'constantly pulling mat from under him' - Hakkinen

Bottas starts a new experience with Alfa Romeo this year

GPFans Staff

Former F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen believes Mercedes constantly pulled the mat from underneath Valtteri Bottas that ate away at his self-confidence.

Bottas will lead Alfa Romeo into F1's new era this season after being overlooked by the Silver Arrows which has opted for George Russell to partner Lewis Hamilton.

Alongside Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou, the Finn will instead look to rebuild a team that finished a lowly ninth in the constructors' championship last year.

Crucially for Bottas, he has been handed a long-term deal by Alfa Romeo, in stark contrast to Mercedes where he was on a rolling one-year contract.

Commenting on his compatriot's prospects for the forthcoming season which ushers in new regulations, Hakkinen told SuomiF1: "Valtteri is a great team player and driver.

"He's going to drive at a nice team. However, the resources of the teams [Mercedes to Alfa Romeo] are not comparable.

"Now, however, he can prepare for the long term. At Mercedes, with only a year-long contract, while light was always visible at the end of the tunnel, there was always a locked door waiting.

"That uncertainty eats away at self-confidence. He did not get the credit he wanted from Mercedes. If the mat is constantly pulled from under your feet, then it will eat your self-confidence.

"Now Valtteri has the opportunity to drive for a team for the long term where he will be trusted."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Results Today: Canadian Grand Prix times and positions

F1 Results Today: Canadian Grand Prix times and positions

  • 29 minutes ago
Netflix will stream F1 Canadian Grand Prix LIVE and free today

Netflix will stream F1 Canadian Grand Prix LIVE and free today

  • 1 hour ago
Lewis Hamilton makes savage F1 champion attack with Gilles Villeneuve remark

Lewis Hamilton makes savage F1 champion attack with Gilles Villeneuve remark

  • 2 hours ago
McLaren in Canadian Grand Prix chaos: The win, the disqualification and the apology

McLaren in Canadian Grand Prix chaos: The win, the disqualification and the apology

  • 3 hours ago
Second F1 car damaged after hitting a groundhog at Canadian Grand Prix

Second F1 car damaged after hitting a groundhog at Canadian Grand Prix

  • Today 15:25
Silverstone issue British Grand Prix ticket warning to F1 fans

Silverstone issue British Grand Prix ticket warning to F1 fans

  • Today 14:55

Just in

18:57
F1 Results Today: Canadian Grand Prix times and positions
17:58
Netflix will stream F1 Canadian Grand Prix LIVE and free today
16:57
Lewis Hamilton makes savage F1 champion attack with Gilles Villeneuve remark
15:57
McLaren in Canadian Grand Prix chaos: The win, the disqualification and the apology
15:25
Second F1 car damaged after hitting a groundhog at Canadian Grand Prix
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

McLaren in Canadian Grand Prix chaos: The win, the disqualification and the apology F1 Stories

McLaren in Canadian Grand Prix chaos: The win, the disqualification and the apology

3 hours ago
F1 Race Today: Canadian Grand Prix 2026 new start time, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream Canadian Grand Prix

F1 Race Today: Canadian Grand Prix 2026 new start time, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

Today 13:57
Max Verstappen just left the door open for biggest transfer in F1 history F1 News & Gossip

Max Verstappen just left the door open for biggest transfer in F1 history

Today 12:57
F1 legend Alain Prost (71) injured in armed robbery at his Swiss home Alain Prost

F1 legend Alain Prost (71) injured in armed robbery at his Swiss home

Today 10:56
Ontdek het op Google Play
x