Bottas reveals Hamilton battle with Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas has revealed a 'computer-says-no' response from Mercedes when he and Lewis Hamilton often suggested set-up ideas during their time with the team.

The pair raced alongside one another at Mercedes for five years between 2017-2021, helping the German manufacturer clinch five constructors' titles in each season, while Hamilton won four drivers' crowns.

Such domination was achieved by the entire team working as one cohesive unit to such an extent the drivers were often refused the set-up direction they requested as the data suggested more favourable routes.

"It is just how a top team works," said Bottas.

"I feel like Lewis felt the same as well. He sometimes wanted to go in his direction but the engineers would be like ‘No, the computer says this’.

"So it was sometimes a bit of a battle but it is good to discuss those things and it's just the way it is.

"They have pretty advanced technology and simulation tools that allow it and quite often the computer was right but not 100 per cent."

Bottas moved from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo for the current season and has assumed the role of team leader for the first time in his F1 career.

Following a strong start in which he collected points in seven of the first nine races, he has now failed to score in the last seven.

But taking the knowledge of how a dominant force operates, the Finn insists Alfa Romeo is "getting there".

He added: "The simulation tools are developing well in Hinwil, but for now, it feels like there is more human and driver effect on steering things, which I personally enjoy a lot."

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