SAYS BOTTAS
After third placing in first race for Mercedes team, Finnish driver wants a win
“It’s the first race and more to come from my side but it’s a good start,” said Bottas.
Bottas, gunning for his first Formula One win, said to be part of the Mercedes team who have dominated F1 for the past three years, has certainly raised the bars for him.
Thus, the 27-year-old admitted he was not fully satisfied with third place in Australia. I want to win.
“When I was racing for Williams, we had some good moments with the team and quite a few podiums but now with this team, the aims are higher.
“I feel there are some things in Melbourne I could improve on during the qualifiers and the race, that’s why I feel like I haven’t done a 100 per cent job.”
After his first official race for the team, Bottas said he is still trying to get the hang of the Mercedes car that is a lot different from his previous Williams Mercedes.
“It’s different from the Williams car and I’m still discovering details and learning to drive the car. Because it’s different, I still need more laps.
“Aerodynamically and mechanically the car can take corners faster and pull more G forces.”
Sebastian Vettel’s win in Melbourne came as no surprise to Bottas, who is expecting a tight fight with Ferrari this season.
However, he said this weekend’s Chinese GP in Shanghai could see a Mercedes AMG Petronas triumph.
“It’s a different type of circuit with more high speed corners, long straights.
“I think it can be good for us but we have learned many lessons from Australia and as a team, we know we can do better.”
Bottas, who has raced in Malaysia four times, with his best finishing of fifth in 2015 and 2016, hopes Malaysia will still be in the annual F1 calendar as Kuala Lumpur is one of his favourite places.
On reports that the Malaysian GP will not be part of F1 in 2018, Bottas, who has been appointed as Petronas global brand ambassador, said: “I hope not. I like the track here and always like visiting here, the weather, and there’s quite a number of fans plus the crowd.”
“I’m learning more about the company and partnership with Mercedes, it’s very impressive to see all these things and how much Petronas has contributed to the performance of the Mercedes AMG and I am proud to be the ambassador for this brand.”