Sebastian Vettel Predicts Big Things for Valtteri Bottas Amid Mercedes F1 Exit ‘Shame’

Valtteri Bottas has ended his time with Mercedes after five years and will be on the grid with Alfa Romeo in 2022. Most would consider that Bottas didn’t have the main stage in the team, as he was driving alongside Lewis Hamilton.

4-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel feels that things will now change for the Finnish driver. The Aston Martin driver feels Bottas will play a central figure at the Swiss-based team compared to what he did at the Brackley-based outfit.

Sebastian Vettel backs Valtteri Bottas to be the main man at Alfa Romeo

Vettel believes that things are about to change for the Finn. In comparison to what he performed for the Silver Arrows. The German driver believes Bottas will have a prominent role in the Swiss-based outfit.

In an exclusive with Blick speaking to Roger Benoit, Vettel said, “Somehow I think it’s a shame that he has to leave Mercedes. But maybe the new regulations for the Swiss team in 2022 will suit him, so that things will finally be more balanced in the field and he will have more chances. I claim Valtteri is one of the most straightforward and honest drivers. And above all, Bottas is also one of the fastest drivers in the field!”

Sebastian added, “I’m just happy that he can play a much more central role there than before. Bottas certainly didn’t always have it easy in the five years alongside Hamilton. But I’m also sure that he was always treated fairly at Mercedes.” (Translated from German via Google)

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How did Bottas perform in his last season for Mercedes?

The 2021 season was the last season that Bottas would be driving for the Silver Arrows. This year the Finn managed to eleven podiums out of which one was a win and had four pole positions his name.

His sixth-place finish at the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw the Brackley-based outfit pick up their eighth constructor’s title. The Finn ended his season with 226 points under his belt; finishing third in the driver’s championship behind his British teammate.

The Finnish driver is certainly looking forward to his time off from the world of Formula One and is hoping to bring his experience to Alfa Romeo and take them to the next level in the upcoming season.

What are your predictions for Bottas in 2022? Let us know in the comments section down below.

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