As of the brilliant performance by the three-time champion, Max Verstappen has broken records and set new ones while also collecting the ‘most successful season’ in his career, he has been deemed unstoppable, but Valtteri Bottas believes otherwise.
While his time at Mercedes proved that he could achieve a lot more in the sport with a good car, all his opportunities to ever beat Lewis Hamilton to a championship were taken away from him. Nonetheless, this has not killed the hunger in the Finnish driver who still believes he is capable of doing the unthinkable.
The race-winner who saw tough competition in the seven-time champion as a teammate has now convinced himself of having a new challenge. However, only a few race wins from when he resided at the Silver Arrows and no progress in his career at Alfa Romeo have not stopped his optimism.
Valtteri Bottas wishes to beat Max Verstappen someday
It is no secret that Max Verstappen has done what almost all drivers wish to do at least once in their careers. With 19 race wins, including 10 wins on the trot, he has set the bar too high for many to ever be able to reach. Although Hamilton could have his very own record of 8 championship victories anytime soon.
However, only one driver has been the bravest of all and come forward to confirm he could be the one to beat the Dutchman. The three-time champion has been titled ‘Super Max’ for his level of brilliance and the season that he has produced two years in a row, while many have mentioned him with names like Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, and Hamilton to compare their achievements.
Bottas: “I think he was at his best and had great performances, but I don’t get the feeling that he’s changed. I still think that if I’m confident and have a great day, I can beat anyone.”
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) December 21, 2023
Meanwhile, Bottas spent his 2023 season scoring minimal points in the midfield with Alfa Romeo and tried to avoid playing bumpy cars. But his confidence from his golden Mercedes days has remained with him as he recently confessed he could beat the residing champion.
He said, “I think he was at his best and had great performances, but I don’t feel he’s changed. I still think that if I’m confident and have a great day, I can beat anyone.”
With an all-time high, it is clear that the Finnish driver is preparing for his 2023 season to get as competitive as possible just to beat the Dutchman.
Valtteri Bottas heaps praise on ex-teammate
While it was a tough goodbye to Mercedes for Bottas, the seven-time champion waved farewell to one of his best teammates and his 8th record-breaking championship title. Nonetheless, his confidence and the hunger and capability to achieve another championship have not left him yet, says the Finnish driver.
Bottas: “don’t think much about those years, in 2021 the time came when I had to accept that role, it was my last year with Lewis. In each of the five, I couldn’t be better than him in the general calculation.”
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) December 21, 2023
When talking about the 2021 season, he made sure to praise his ex-teammate. He said, “It was my last year with Lewis. In each of the five, I couldn’t be better than him in the general calculation. I think he was at his best and had great performances, but I don’t get the feeling that he’s changed.”