Valtteri Bottas says he expects to be more demanding and “a little more selfish” with his Mercedes race team this year as he pursues the elusive Formula One world championship.
Bottas will be in his fifth season with Mercedes in 2021, although he has yet to defeat teammate Lewis Hamilton in a championship race, finishing second in each of the previous two years.
Following discussions with Bottas, Mercedes F1 president Toto Wolff admitted at the end of last year that the team needed to give him more support, resulting in an additional radio message in Abu Dhabi qualifying.
Bottas, speaking to the media for the first time this year, explained how discussions with the team were crucial in ensuring the appropriate level of pressure was given, allowing him to improve his performance.
“Some of my years in Formula 1, definitely, I’ve put too much pressure on myself,” Bottas explained.
“There’s been times that I’ve taken too much pressure from outside, and also vice-versa, that there’s not been maybe enough pressure from my side. It’s all about finding that balance and playing with that.
“The only thing to really let the team know in terms of how much they’re pressuring you is to discuss about things, and it’s the same thing with myself. I need to be self-honest with everything, and try and find a good way, and kind of happy head for every single grand prix.
“Lewis has won the title us being teammates all the years now that I’ve been with the team, but still going into this new year, starting from fresh and with a new page, absolutely I believe that I can fight for the title.
“That’s of course the ultimate goal this season, and that’s my target. But it’s a long way until that, and you need to take it really step by step.”
Bottas won two races last year, but lacked the consistency that Hamilton showed on his way to the title with 11 triumphs.
Bottas explained how, going into 2021, he was focusing on expecting more from himself and his teammates, ensuring the appropriate support was in place for a long-term title challenge.
“This year, I’m demanding more from myself than ever,” Bottas said.
“Obviously I’m not overdoing things, but the ultimate goal for me this season is when I get to the last race in Abu Dhabi, I can look back and say that I did 100%, I did every single bit that I could to win the title.
“That’s the ultimate goal for this year, and that is going to be the same for all the people around me, whoever I’m working with.
“I’ll demand as much as I feel like I need to, to get the support and get the information that I need, and maybe that way, I can be a bit more selfish.
“One year in a lifetime, giving everything that you have, is actually quite short time. That’s I think the mindset that I have, and that is including me and the people around me.”
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