Valtteri Bottas is facing one of his most difficult challenges since joining Mercedes in 2017. With only 59 points from the first seven races, the Finn is far behind his team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings.
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In addition, the Silver Arrows appear to be replacing Finn with George Russell next season. With Bottas clearly struggling, ex-F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya commented on Bottas’ mindset at Mercedes.
Montoya believes Mercedes is “attacking” Valtteri Bottas
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In recent years, Bottas has been the most realistic contender for Lewis Hamilton in the championship. While teams like Red Bull struggled with reliability, the Finn was the only car that could challenge the dominant Briton.
However, Max Verstappen takes on the fight against Hamilton more fatally than Bottas this season. Although he has clinched three podium places this season, the Finn has been far behind the pace of the two championship contenders in the previous seven races.
While Bottas is clearly struggling this season, Mercedes’ comments in the past haven’t helped his situation much. In an interview with Motorsport.tv, Montoya referred to the Finn’s incident in Monaco, in which Toto Wolff made him partially responsible for the catastrophic pit stop that ended his race.
He said, “Instead of working together and saying, ‘We had a problem,’ they went after and said, ‘Oh, he just didn’t stop at the right place’ instead of, ‘Oh, maybe the guy? with the gun, the gun didn’t quite straighten it. ‘
“Well, I think in his head they seem to be attacking him.”
DIVE DEEPER
Montoya: Mercedes has to choose Bottas
The Colombian believes that the Silver Arrows must decide the best way forward as soon as possible. He believes this will help Finn stay focused for the remainder of the season while improving relationships in their garage.
“They either commit to him and say, ‘Look, we’re with you and things are getting a lot better,'” said Montoya. “And I think whatever you decide you have to go, you have to make a decision quickly. Because it will make the relationship a lot easier once the decision has been made. “
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Formula 1 F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 19, 2021 Mercedes third Valtteri Bottas during the press conference after qualifying FIA / handout via REUTERS
Even if the Finn is anything but fighting for the title at the moment, he has the chance to put things right at the Styrian Grand Prix at the weekend. Bottas can rate the fact that he finished second last time in the Styrian mountains positively, which could be the necessary boost in self-confidence.
Can the 31-year-old annoy the championship contenders with his first win of the season on June 27?
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WATCH HISTORY: Toto Wolff swears, Valtteri Bottas Bares: The funniest moments from the journey to survival
The post Ex-McLaren F1 driver believes Mercedes is mentally “attacking” Bottas with dubious claims first appeared on monter-une-startup.
