Valtteri Bottas has rubbished suggestions that Mercedes newbie George Russell could beat his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming season. Following three years on loan at Williams, Russell joined back up with Mercedes to permanently replace Bottas, who has made the switch to Alfa Romeo following five years with the Silver Arrows.
Big things are expected of Russell in the near future, with many tipping him as the potential heir to Hamilton’s throne.
But speaking to The Sun, Bottas insisted the seven-time title winner is still leagues above his younger and less experienced counterpart.
“I don’t see anyone else beating Lewis in the near future in the same machinery,” he said.
“George will adjust well because he has been with Mercedes for some years.
“But beating Lewis is not easy. I have experienced that. It is his consistency in his performances. Every driver has form that is a little bit up and down, but his baseline for performance is just so high.
“Even when he has a bad day it is not too bad. It is his consistency over the season.”
Bottas went on to explain just what sets Hamilton apart from the rest, saying that he is most impressed with the Brit’s capabilities to come through even the toughest conditions.
“Another of his key strengths is his ability to adapt to different conditions, the skill to react to changes, be it set-up or whatever,” Bottas continued.
“This and his race-craft. His tyre management is a special skill and all these things are combined with talent.
“And he puts in the work, which not many people see, so he is hard to beat.
“I can be proud that on my day, I’ve been able to beat him. But not consistently enough to beat him over a season.”
The much-anticipated new F1 season gets underway in Bahrain March 20.
Hamilton and Max Verstappen are the two hotly-tipped favourites once more, and it promises to be another thrilling battle between the pair.
Nevertheless, Russell will be hoping he can upset the apple-cart and ruffle a few feathers throughout the year.
