TURIN, Italy: Valtteri Bottas has no intention of playing second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton and thinks the time is right for him to pip his Mercedes teammate to the title.
Bottas joined Hamilton at Mercedes at the start of 2017 to replace Nico Rosberg, following the world champion’s shock retirement days after beating Hamilton to the title.
The amiable Finnish driver was drafted in from Williams at short-notice. He was considered the ideal teammate for Hamilton, whose relationship with Rosberg was often sour during their four-year partnership and probably beyond repair by the end of it.
But although Bottas at times appeared consigned to a No. 2 role last season, as Hamilton went on to win his fourth title, he insists there is no seniority at Mercedes.
“People can always think what they think. Only what I care about is my own performance,” Bottas told The Associated Press in an interview. “I have high goals in Formula One, I know that I can do good things, I know that I can fight for the title, I can win races and we happen to work really well with Lewis.
“If someone thinks I’m only his helper that’s wrong because that’s not the case,” he added. “I’m here because I want to win and we’re starting the season with Lewis on equal terms, so it’s up to me and Lewis who will come out on top.”
Bottas finished third last season, 12 points behind Sebastian Vettel and 58 points behind Hamilton.
After winning three races last year — the first ones since he started in 2013 — Bottas is keen to challenge Hamilton all the way.
“I believe. I believe in myself,” Bottas said. “I always set very high targets and I was able to win a few races last year so I know I can do it. I just need to be more consistent and we’ll see.”
He appeared relaxed and determined as he responded to questions on the balcony of team sponsor Petronas’ new $60 million research and technology center in Turin. He is under pressure to perform, however, since he only has a one-year contract with Mercedes.
There are as yet no assurances he will keep his set for 2019, when other leading drivers are likely to be on the market.
“I want to win more races than last year. I want to fight for the title. I feel it’s my opportunity this year,” Bottas said. “I learnt so much with this team last season so if I can really learn from all the mistakes, especially from all the difficult races, I believe I can perform overall a lot better.”
Bottas had a frantic start to life at Mercedes, joining the team little over two months before the start of last season.
The 28-year-old has had a better preparation this year, and a relaxed offseason split between Finland and South Africa.
He Bottas believes that, coupled with a year’s experience under his belt, will stand him in good stead to mount a serious challenge.
“Everything is all set for the new year,” Bottas said. “Main thing I learnt last year is that I learnt that I had no clue how much I still had to learn. There were so many different things.”
Driving alongside Hamilton helped to speed up the process.
“I also learnt some things from Lewis,” he said. “It’s fine details and that’s what Formula One is about when you’re speaking about the hundredths/thousandths of a second.”
Valtteri Bottas ready to challenge teammate Lewis Hamilton for F1 title
Valtteri Bottas ready to challenge teammate Lewis Hamilton for F1 title
Liverpool rocked by last-gasp defeat at Wolves
- Liverpool’s first defeat in five games in all competitions will raise fresh questions about Slot’s Anfield future
LONDON: Liverpool suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Wolves as Andre’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic victory for the Premier League’s bottom club on Tuesday.
Arne Slot’s side fell behind to Rodrigo Gomes’ strike in the closing stages at Molineux.
Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level with his first goal in 11 top-flight games dating back to November.
But Andre’s first goal for Wolves inflicted the latest humbling loss in a chastening season for Liverpool.
It was the first time the Premier League’s bottom club had beaten the reigning champions since Crystal Palace defeated Chelsea in 2017.
Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, with only Newcastle shipping more in the same period in the Premier League.
The Reds remain fifth but their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League have been hurt by a defeat that means sixth-placed Chelsea will go above them if they beat Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s first defeat in five games in all competitions will raise fresh questions about Slot’s Anfield future.
This was the first of Liverpool’s two trips to Molineux in the space of four days, with an immediate chance for revenge in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday.
Slot this week said he no longer finds Premier League matches a “joy to watch” due to the rise in set-piece goals, and Liverpool supporters took no pleasure from this dismal performance.
Wolves and Liverpool fans joined in a sustained round of applause on 18 minutes in memory of Diogo Jota, who wore that shirt number during his time at Molineux before joining the Reds.
Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain last year.
Crest-fallen Slot
That emotional tribute seemed to suck the energy from both teams in a scrappy first half.
Liverpool were punished for their lethargy in the 78th minute.
Tolu Arokodare got away with a nudge on Virgil van Dijk to win the ball before playing a superb pass to Rodrigo Gomes, who held off Ibrahima Konate and guided a clinical finish past Alisson Becker.
Liverpool finally awoke from their slumber after that shock, grabbing an equalizer in the 83rd minute with a helping hand from Wolves.
Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was guilty of a woeful pass that Salah intercepted, racing into the area for a shot that eluded Jose Sa’s weak attempted save.
Salah has scored just eight goals — five in the league — during a turbulent season.
Liverpool were still creaky at the back and Andre pounced on Alisson’s poor clearance four minutes to steal the points in stoppage-time.
Andre’s powerful strike deflected off Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and looped over the wrong-footed Alisson as Wolves boss Rob Edwards sprinted down the touchline in a wild celebration while Slot looked on crestfallen.
Wolves are 11 points from safety with eight games left and relegation remains almost certain despite this memorable victory.
Everton ended their dismal home form and pushed Burnley closer to relegation with a 2-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Buoyed by their 3-2 win at Newcastle last weekend, Everton dispatched second-bottom Burnley with their first win in eight home league matches.
Former Burnley defender James Tarkowski put Everton in front with a powerful header from James Garner’s 32nd minute free-kick.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled Everton’s advantage on the hour taking Iliman Ndiaye’s pass and clipping a composed finish past Martin Dubravka from six yards.
Everton remain in contention for a European berth, while Burnley are eight points from safety with just nine games left.
Habib Diarra’s penalty fired Sunderland to a 1-0 victory against Leeds on their first Premier League visit to Elland Road since 2002.
Bournemouth and Brentford shared a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium that did little to improve either side’s hopes of qualifying for Europe.
