Bottas 'rooting' for Zhou Alfa Romeo continuity

Sam Hall
Monday 19 September 2022 11:16

Valtteri Bottas believes there is no reason why Alfa Romeo should look to change its driver line-up for 2023 with Zhou Guanyu yet to secure a new deal.

Zhou has shown promise in his debut season but after scoring a point in his maiden outing, has featured in the top 10 on just two further occasions.

Such a record does not do justice to the Chinese driver's levels of performance, with reliability problems leading to retirements at three races.

Although Bottas is on a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo, the team has yet to decide whether it will retain the 23-year-old rookie for a second term.

Asked how important it is to know his partner for 2023 sooner rather than later, Bottas said: "It would be nice to know but there is no rush or stress about it.

"He has been a good fit for the team and at this moment I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to continue.

"I would definitely root for the continuity, and it is only his first year so I am sure he can make a good step for the second year."

Bottas' "different feeling" after Lewis Hamilton experience

Bottas raced alongside seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for five years before moving to Alfa Romeo.

Comparing working alongside a rookie team-mate to his previous experience, Bottas added: "It is different, yes.

"I am now the driver the team-mate is asking more questions of than I am from him, and there is a responsibility as well with the set-up direction.

"It’s a different feeling but it comes quite naturally.

"It is my 10th season in Formula 1 so eventually you will have a team-mate who is younger than you."