Valtteri Bottas says is paying close attention to how his new team mate operates as he makes up for lost time at Mercedes.
A late off-season switch from Williams has left Bottas playing catch-up at Mercedes at the beginning of 2017. He described how he plans to learn from new team mate Lewis Hamilton.
Bottas said is “many things” he can learn from Hamilton. “I won’t pick out certain detail things, but I think having a new team mate I really think always having a new person you’re working with there’s always something you can learn from.”
“Definitely Lewis is going to be a guy I’m going to be watching closely for sure,” said Bottas. “It would be stupid not to.”
“But I think in the team there’s many other persons who are extremely clever as well that I can learn massively with all the engineers. I think now this gives me a good opportunity also for me to get to the next level in my performance with all the technical performance and understanding. There’s so much new this information coming – almost as much as I can take in.”
Bottas believes the change of regulations for the new season can only help him as he adjusts to life at Mercedes.
“There is for each driver something new to learn. What Lewis has as an advantage is he’s been part of this team for a long time, he knows exactly how the team works.”
“He did comment after the first time of running with the new cars that it feels pretty much the same behaviour to the old car. I think obviously with more grip it feels slightly bigger, bigger tyres, the tyres are different. I think I would rather join a new team at this point that, for example, the year before.”
2017 F1 season
- Stripping Verstappen of 2017 US podium was “one of the toughest decisions” – steward
- Sepang pays Haas compensation for Grosjean’s 2017 crash
- Williams revenues rose in 2017 after Bottas deal with Mercedes
- New kerbs at COTA in response to Verstappen’s corner-cutting
- Australian Grand Prix cost government £56 million last year
Kgn11
6th March 2017, 11:41
“He did comment after the first time of running with the new cars that it feels pretty much the same behaviour to the old car. I think obviously with more grip it feels slightly bigger, bigger tyres, the tyres are different. I think I would rather join a new team at this point that, for example, the year before”
Is he referring to the W07 or the Williams?
Robbie (@robbie)
6th March 2017, 14:39
I think he is making a generic comment that since the cars are now so different it is a good year to have switched to a new team while the engrained driver will have a bit of learning to do too, as he inevitably knows everything he needs to about how the team operates, but doesn’t know this car like he would have if there were just a few mundane reg changes.
Kgn11
6th March 2017, 14:50
My bad, I got that part, was referring to this part of his statement
“He did comment after the first time of running with the new cars that it feels pretty much the same behaviour to the old car”
Hotbottoms (@hotbottoms)
6th March 2017, 16:23
I believe that is a quote from Bottas and he’s talking about Hamilton. What he means is: “[Lewis] did comment after the first time of running with the new cars that it feels pretty much the same behaviour to the old car.”
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
6th March 2017, 12:50
Exactly learn from the best, then become better.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
6th March 2017, 14:57
Yes.
Aldoid
6th March 2017, 15:53
Love what I’m hearing from Valtteri. I sincerely hope he gives Lewis a good fight.
asherway (@asherway)
6th March 2017, 17:44
I’m curious about what he will be exposed to internally given he’s on a 1 year contract. Will the team be hiding technical details from him? Drivers don’t go on gardening leave, so what stops the flow of info when a driver changes teams?
smudgersmith1 (@smudgersmith1)
7th March 2017, 11:46
I’ve taught you everything I know; said the master.
Yes, said the pupil, but not everything I know !