Nitrodaze
22nd January 2017, 17:21
The Mercedes open secret has come to pass. Valtteri Bottas has finally landed one of the most sought after seats in F1. Bottas whose lacklustre 2016 season has made many wonder if he was going to be as good as Rosberg whom he is replacing, is full of desire and hope of winning races and possibly the driver's title.
Being on a one year contract, you have to say, Bottas is on the test of his career driving alongside one of the toughest F1 drivers of the hybrid generation. How he measures going toe to toe with the three times world champion would significantly determine his future in F1. An extension of his contract at the end of the 2017 season would be a clear endorsement of his performance. But with loads of A-List drivers coming onto the market for the 2018 season, it would be a real challenge for Bottas to keep his seat in the face of these very credible competition.
I suppose the question would be, can Bottas be as fast as Rosberg at least. If he can manage that, one could say, his seat is secure beyond 2017. If not, one has to think that a change is going to happen in 2018, bringing about a possibility of a very exciting lineup at Mercedes. Hamilton-Alonso, Hamilton-Vettel, Hamilton-Sainz or Hamilton-Ricciado are just a few mouth watering prospect that may transpire.
I think Bottas is quick enough to match Rosberg. But can he do that consistently. Then there is the race toughness. Can he be as tough as Rosberg at least to ensure consecutive Mercedes finish; one-two finish or two-three finish etc.
How do you rate Bottas' chances out of ten to match Rosbergs performance?
Being on a one year contract, you have to say, Bottas is on the test of his career driving alongside one of the toughest F1 drivers of the hybrid generation. How he measures going toe to toe with the three times world champion would significantly determine his future in F1. An extension of his contract at the end of the 2017 season would be a clear endorsement of his performance. But with loads of A-List drivers coming onto the market for the 2018 season, it would be a real challenge for Bottas to keep his seat in the face of these very credible competition.
I suppose the question would be, can Bottas be as fast as Rosberg at least. If he can manage that, one could say, his seat is secure beyond 2017. If not, one has to think that a change is going to happen in 2018, bringing about a possibility of a very exciting lineup at Mercedes. Hamilton-Alonso, Hamilton-Vettel, Hamilton-Sainz or Hamilton-Ricciado are just a few mouth watering prospect that may transpire.
I think Bottas is quick enough to match Rosberg. But can he do that consistently. Then there is the race toughness. Can he be as tough as Rosberg at least to ensure consecutive Mercedes finish; one-two finish or two-three finish etc.
How do you rate Bottas' chances out of ten to match Rosbergs performance?