Bottas has had a difficult start to the 2021 season and retired from two of the five previous races to finish fourth in the drivers’ standings, 58 points behind front runner Max Verstappen.
Two weeks ago in Monaco, Bottas was on track to finish second only to force him to retire due to a pit stop problem.
The Finn was regularly tested for his ability to fight for an F1 title while at Mercedes while battling seven-time world champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes team boss Wolff often addressed the mental strength and resilience of his driver, while Bottas himself said in March that he had made “extreme” preparations over the winter to get himself into the right attitude.
Wolff revealed over the weekend of the Spanish Grand Prix that one of his management tactics is to encourage employees to have a photo of their rival in a prominent location for motivation.
“You could put a photo of this person on your calendar or on your desk, and every time you lack motivation, you look at these people,” explains Wolff.
“Anyone can do it. I keep seeing photos like this of the people I work with. It’s good.
“This is called enemy building and is a powerful psychological weapon.
“I myself have two photos that I always have with me and that are on my desktop.
“Neither of the two has anything to do with Formula 1 or racing at all. It’s about business.”
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
After Wolff’s comments, Bottas was asked by Autosport in Monaco if he was taking a similar approach with his direct F1 rivals.
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“I don’t have a picture of Lewis or Max in my pocket,” Bottas replied, but revealed that he is using the idea in a different way.
“I have one that was actually inspired by chatting with Toto last year.
“I have one on my computer, a desktop picture, that motivates me every time I open the computer.
“It’s not really a positive thing. It’s a negative thing that always reminds me to show them what I can do.”
But Bottas didn’t want to reveal what the picture was and said, “I won’t tell you.”
At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, Bottas will be looking to repeat his battle for pole and 2019 victory when F1 last visited Baku.
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