MORE RALLIES FOR BOTTAS AFTER STRONG DEBUT
GROUP RALLYING EDITOR
Mercedes Formula 1 star Valtteri Bottas has vowed to return to rallying after a successful debut at last week’s Arctic Rally.
The Finn finished the Rovaniemi-based event in fifth overall and set a fastest time in his M-sport-run Ford Fiesta WRC. Co-driven by two-time world champion Timo Rautiainen, Bottas said: “This was a very nice experience. One goal I had before the start was to get to the finish line and we made it. We learned a lot during the rally and the speed got higher all the time – and confidence in my driving also got better.
“Everything went as planned: we started quite calmly and then gradually increased speed. We were able to avoid big mistakes, even though we had a few moments. I feel great and it was nice to be able to drive the quickest stage time on one of the special stages.
“My co-driver Timo was a huge help in the project and I learned from him a lot. I’m very happy with our cooperation and the project. [At the] latest next year we will drive our next rally here in Rovaniemi.”
Rautiainen, who returns to the co-driver’s seat alongside Marcus Gronholm at next month’s Rally Sweden, added: “The rally went very well. Already at the first rally test [in a Group N Mitsubishi] I had a feeling this could work. On the following World Rally Car tests I knew this could definitely work. Still this achievement was a surprise; the driving style of Valtteri was mature and there were no mistakes.
“He didn’t have any fear in the quick parts. Medium-speed turns were the places where we still lost some time. This was a great way to approach the rally, it was an unbelievable performance.”
M-sport team principal Rich Millener said: “The boys were very impressed with his driving. As you’d expect with a Formula 1 driver, the speed was nothing to worry about for him, but his technique between the trees was really good. One of the differences the engineers noticed that he didn’t go to full throttle all the time, he’s used to searching for the grip – whereas these boys, as soon as they have grip, they’re full throttle.”