When Valtteri Bottas departed the Mercedes Team at the end of 2021 and made the switch to Alfa Romeo, it was a team gaining momentum. He had some fantastic results in early 2022 and finished up 10th in the Drivers’ Standings.
2023, however, was a different story. The team slipped backwards, finishing in 9th place in the Constructors’ Championship and Bottas himself a lowly in 15th in the Drivers’ Championship, with only two P8 finishes for the Finish driver.
Bottas is clearly holding out for the team’s transition to Audi for the 2026 season, but is also hoping for an improved performance this year, with the team’s new fluorescent green colour scheme, coming from title sponsor streaming service Kick.
At the team’s launch on Monday, Bottas spoke about how the team need to make progress this season.
“Going into the third season together with a team, the objectives need to be lofty,” said the Finn.
“My own expectations are high, we definitely need to make a good step and see good progress from last year, a season in which, in all honesty, we didn’t meet the targets that we set for ourselves.We need to fix that now, we need to step up our game and do better. Seeing all the changes that have been happening in the team is what gives me this confidence.
“We have got quite a bit of new resources in different departments of the team, we have a whole new identity, the new car looks different – and not just in terms of livery. All this gives me the confidence that we’re on a different path, hopefully the right path,” continued 34 year old Bottas.
Bottas commented on the team’s new bold statement colour scheme, stating that it’s a good fresh look for the team.
“I think the new look reflects the team’s approach for the future,” he added. “It’s new, it’s exciting. There have been changes in the team’s approach, and even the visuals look very different.“
The Fi nish driver has a very different look to when he left Mercedes, sporting a fresh hair style but stressed that performance is ultimately what’s needed and colour schemes and looks don’t really matter.
“I followed suit even my hair looks a different colour. I think the team’s approach is a good reflection on the mindset we are going to have for the future. Change can sometimes be a force for good. Looks are important, but they’re secondary to performance, of course. In the end, if the car is fast and we are performing as a team, nothing else really matters. That’s what everyone in the team ultimately cares about,” concluded Bottas.
