Valtteri Bottas spoke in an interview with Swiss tabloid Blick about the situation this season, plans for the future and the tradition of drinking beer after the races.
Question You have a long-term contract with Alfa Romeo and in 2023 you will continue to play for this team. But in previous years you had to worry every year at Mercedes and wait and see whether the contract would be extended or not…
Valtteri Bottas: Yes, now external circumstances put much less pressure on me. I can fully concentrate on my work. For the first time in my career, a period has come when there is such certainty. It is very nice to realize that all the efforts I am making now will also bear fruit next year.
Question In Mexico you finished 10th, but before that there were ten races where you couldn’t earn points. If they could fight for a place in the top five with the Alfa Romeo car at the start of the season, the team has now rolled way back…
Valtteri Bottas: This is the harsh reality. At the start of the season we were not that close to Red Bull and Ferrari and the chances of getting on the podium were much better. Now a medium-scale miracle must happen before we can climb the podium. Also because the Mercedes team has clearly improved, Alpine and McLaren are also much stronger.
We moved a long time ago to work on the creation of the 2023 car and we hope to be competitive again next season.
Q: But it seems that regardless of the team results, earned points or not, you give yourself a glass of beer after every race…
Valtteri Bottas: I have a tradition: after every race you have to drink a glass of beer. When the job is done, be sure to freshen up! (laughs) Even after a long bike ride, I allow myself a beer.
Q: How come a funny hat with beer steins, your logos, race cars and the Finnish flag even made it to the team’s official online store?
Valtteri Bottas: It was fun: during the summer holidays we were relaxing and together with a company that makes souvenirs for the team, we decided to release a batch of such hats. You know, on vacation you drink more beer than usual. And it turned out that fans like to buy such hats!
Q: You are an avid cyclist and even compete in Finland. Have you already cycled through Switzerland?
Valtteri Bottas: Before leaving for Austin, I stayed in Hinwil for a few days at the team’s base. I had a bike with me and I enjoyed riding around the local lakes. But I’m sure there are still many excellent cycling routes in Switzerland, so I’m planning to spend a vacation in this country.
Q: Is there any chance of staying with Sauber in 2026 if Audi joins the team and gets factory status? Are you making career plans four years ahead?
Valtteri Bottas: Certainly, this is still a long way off. I’m 33 now, but look at Fernando Alonso, who is already over 40. That’s why I see no reason to stop me from staying in the team and after four years I’m ready for anything.
Source: F1 News
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