Lewis Hamilton may have won Mercedes a series of world championship titles, but Valtteri Bottas has played a crucial role in winning the Briton some of those titles. His team play on multiple occasions helped the team to maintain absolute dominance over the past 5 years.
Hence, considering his essential role in the Brackley outfit, the entire crew from Mercedes gave an emotional farewell as the Finn left the factory one last time.
The grand send-off for Valtteri Bottas
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bottas hopped onto the back of a classic convertible Mercedes road car, as it slowly strolled along the road of Mercedes’ headquarters in Brackley. There were cheers and claps all around.
Along with the ecstatic Mercedes crew and fans, there were also mesmerizing light and fire shows taking place around the HQ.
And, as the driver parked the car at the exit of Mercedes’ headquarters, Bottas turned back, waved a final goodbye, and walked into the darkness.
View this post on Instagram
One would have expected Bottas to sob a bit, but the Finn was as bright as a shining star. And why wouldn’t he be? Bottas has got an exciting new journey ahead with Alfa Romeo where he finally gets to lead a team from the front.
Watch Story: Love Is in the Paddock: F1 Fraternity Rings in Valentine’s Day
Can Bottas attain glory with Alfa Romeo?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bottas will be replacing a world champion in Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo; hence, big shoes to fill for the 10-time Grand Prix winner. To be fair, Alfa Romeo haven’t been scoring much since 2020, which sets the bar quite low for Bottas.
The team desperately needs someone who has embraced the experience of racing in a top team. Hence, the Sauber-led outfit will certainly be happy about snatching Bottas from a team like Mercedes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Overall, potentially another tough season ahead for Alfa Romeo, especially considering the fact that both their drivers will be new entrants. So, can Bottas manage to chip in some points over the 2022 season and consequently save the mid-field team from falling to the back of the grid?
Read More: Do F1 Cars have a Clutch?