Valtteri Bottas felt he had a knife at his throat under mounting pressure at Mercedes

Mercedes boss hopes ‘robbed’ Lewis Hamilton will continue racing

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Alfa Romeo star Valtteri Bottas has taken a swing at Mercedes by suggesting the pressure to perform was like driving with a ‘knife at your throat’. Bottas left Mercedes to replace the 2007 Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen after the Finn retired. 

George Russell was sensationally unveiled as Bottas’ replacement at Mercedes to form an exciting all-British partnership alongside Lewis Hamilton.

Bottas perhaps struggled with the pressure of trying to contend with the seven-time world champion in the same machinery. 

The 32-year-old helped Mercedes win five straight Constructors’ Championships during his time with the Silver Arrows, playing a necessary role alongside Hamilton.  

However, Bottas has also spoken out against his one-year contracts with the German manufacturer, which meant his future never felt stable.

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When speculation was mounting over the possibility of Russell succeeding Bottas, the Finn admitted he felt insecure and didn’t enjoy the pressure of having to ‘earn’ new deals.

It is unsurprising then, that Bottas vented his frustrations about the ‘very exhausting’ tribulations experienced at Mercedes. 

“When you feel like you have a knife at your throat, your head doesn’t do very well,” Bottas told the Talking About Me podcast, run by Finnish journalist Oskari Saari as quoted by RTL.

Hamilton has described Bottas as the best teammate he has ever had in the sport after the Finn replaced Nico Rosberg following his sudden retirement.

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Bottas admitted he found the 2016 world champion’s decision to leave the sport after beating Hamilton to the title a bizarre one – but he now admits he sympathises with the German and understands the move. 

Bottas often spends time in his sauna, using it as a safe haven when issues and pressure within the sport would overwhelm him.

“The sauna is a sacred place for me,” Bottas added. 

“Weird things happen, and yes, sometimes alcohol is used. Not so much to get rid of the pressure, but to clear the head and relax for the next race weekend.

“Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.”

Bottas is now embarking on a new chapter with Alfa Romeo after he signed the first multi-year contract of his career – earning himself the crucial job security he has craved.

While he is unlikely to be fighting at the front in 2022, Bottas is pleased to enjoy some comfort with the Swiss-based outfit.

“I can say that I have been laughing and smiling a lot more since I signed with Alfa,” the 32-year-old concluded.

The 23-race 2022 campaign begins in Bahrain on March 20, with winter testing for the all-new generation of cars underway from February 23.

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