‘More to come’ from Bottas now he’s ‘in a happy place’

Henry Valantine
Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas. Monaco May 2022.

Valtteri Bottas smiles while chatting during the drivers' parade ahead of the race. Monaco May 2022.

Valtteri Bottas says there is “more to come” from him and Alfa Romeo this season – and feels he is in a “happy place” at his new team.

前奔驰的男人打了个圣飞行art at Alfa, scoring 40 points in the opening rounds compared to only one point for his rookie team-mateZhou Guanyuin the same period.

The Finn feels he has been able to make the most of his ability in his role as team leader, adding that the work ethic and motivation within the Hinwil-based team has been “inspiring” to him.

“I think it’s been a good start to the season, like the qualifying and race performances,” Bottas told reporters in Monaco.

Valtteri Bottas stands on the grid. Barcelona May 2022.

“I’ve been in a happy place, in a way I can really try and be the best version of myself and drive the way I want to drive.

“But the atmosphere in the team is so motivating, the people, how much they are now trying, and it’s really inspiring for me as well. And maybe that pushes you to [do] even more but yeah, it’s been a good start to the season.

“Obviously, things still are there that need to be better. We are still working on the race starts, which haven’t been great.

“We are still working on the high-speed stability with the car, so that’s not the limit for us, there’s more to come, but on a personal level it’s been good – but always can be better.”

Alfa Romeohave managed to keep up their pace at the upper end of the midfield throughout the season so far, even after the teams around them have introduced a raft of upgrades.

The team themselves have also taken fewer parts fromFerrarithis season and team principalFred Vasseur said previouslyhe is pleased to see the team’s pace has avoided being “killed” as a result too.

And Bottas is happy to see how Alfa are still able to compete, even with improvements being made around them.

“It’s a great motivation for us as a team, even to be able to fight with, let’s say, bigger teams at this point is really encouraging, and I can feel and see the motivation in the team,” he said.

“And it’s the same for me – we want to look at every single detail how we can fight more often with them, so it’s good.”