Valtteri Bottas Opens Up on Ongoing Social Media Criticism and Hate

Ever since joining Mercedes in 2017, Valtteri Bottas has become much more than a complementary driver to Lewis Hamilton. Carving out his own reputation, the Finnish driver has achieved multiple wins and podiums.

Perhaps the only reason Bottas has not won a championship yet is his own teammate. Such has been the dominance of Hamilton, that many drivers have just remained challengers.

Nevertheless, Bottas is focused on helping the team attain its objectives, and fighting for the Drivers’ title until it is mathematically impossible for him to win it this season.

Valtteri Bottas uses criticism as a ‘motivation’ to perform

Bottas has had his fair share of achievements in his racing career, with both Williams and Mercedes. His celebration displays are often noises of victory to silence his critics.

Speaking in an interview, Bottas said, “I try not to care, but I use it really as a motivation. You know for me, it’s definitely never going to bring me down if there’s critics then it is vice-versa.

“And then it’s a good thing. But also sometimes I don’t just quite get it. But I have learned in my career not to really affect me in any negative way on my performances in my life.”

Bottas has often not converted the momentum he creates

One flaw that most people point about Valtteri Bottas is the lack of solidification of opportunities he gets. When he begins from pole positions. he has been culpable for not making use of the starts he gets.

In Russia, it was the sort of brilliance that he replicated back in 2017 to win the race. Of course, the penalties to Hamilton helped Bottas. However, there was no doubt that his tremendous performance, was worthy of a winners’ trophy.

Perhaps, all that Bottas lacks to be the best driver in the world is consistency. He tops the charts in free practices and, to some extent, even qualifying.

Channelizing those efforts to win races is something he needs to develop. When that happens on a regular basis, it will be hard to see anyone stopping Valtteri Bottas.