Valtteri Bottas 'feeling the difference' out of Lewis Hamilton's shadow

Valtteri Bottas

Bottas 'feeling the difference' out of Hamilton's shadow

Finn has become team leader with Alfa Romeo

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 24 August 2022 08:00

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Valtteri Bottas has conceded to 'feeling the difference' since leaving Mercedes and stepping out of the shadow of former team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Bottas spent five years with the Silver Arrows and played an integral role in the team winning the constructors' championship in each of the seasons he competed.

Mercedes, however, opted to promote George Russell for this season after the Briton had spent three years learning his craft with Williams.

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That allowed Alfa Romeo to step in and sign Bottas who has taken on and embraced his role as team leader, an option not afforded to him at Mercedes due to Hamilton's status within the organisation.

"It's a very different feeling," said Bottas, in an interview with GPFans. "It's hard to describe, but you feel the difference. You are a very big part of the team.

"Especially at the beginning of the year, when we were scoring good points and you could see and feel the atmosphere and the motivation, it's really rewarding when you get the results and you get to the targets.

"What is refreshing is how rewarding even small things are when you are in that role.

"For me, it almost feels like, when you are so involved with the team and everything, you feel you've done your part and so it's really nice to work."