Valtteri Bottas is reborn at Alfa Romeo. Leaving Mercedes after five years, and joining a mid-table team like Alfa Romeo, must have been a tough decision for him. But no one imagined how it turned out. Alfa Romeo and Bottas are in incredible form currently. And Bottas is feeling the love at Alfa Romeo. Maybe there’s something in the name!
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The new team has accepted Bottas with open arms and is showing him the respect he deserves. And Bottas is also loving his new role with his team.
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Valtteri Bottas the Alpha at Alfa Romeo
So far, Bottas has finished two of the three races in points. Something he would’ve not assumed at the start of the current Formula 1 season. However, the Alfa Romeo C42 is turning out to be quite a machine. But that’s not the exciting part currently happening in Bottas’s life. He has newfound respect in and around a Formula 1 paddock. Something that was missing from his career in F1.
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Bottas, while speaking to The Race, had a lot to share about his new experience. “It’s just a really motivated and good feeling in the team now, everyone is really trying hard. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do but of course, the results, like at first race, scoring those points, you could see how uplifting it was for people, and that helps.” said Bottas.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks with Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Alfa Romeo F1 during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Bottas is an exceptional driver, we are well aware. But for the last few years, he was competing against one of the best. His ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton always had the upper hand at Mercedes. And sadly, Bottas hardly ever came out of his shadow. Lucky for him, his new team sees and recognizes all his potential and experience.
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There is a new sheriff at Alfa Romeo
Bottas is noticing fresh changes around him, especially in terms of his role. First, he feels every time he has something to say, people pay attention and implement it. This is important for a driver to feel his inputs are being respected. “I really feel a big part of the team, I’m really happy how things are going with the team and my role. I’m not just a driver, but also an important team member,” added Bottas.
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The new sense of authority must be confidence-boosting for Bottas. And it is already translating to points on the track. Bottas’s rookie teammate Zhou Guanyu is a perfect teammate for him to mentor. This will not only help Bottas but the team as well.
We are interested to see where Bottas and Alfa Romeo would stand at the end of the season. A slight preview would be available this weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
