via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks with Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Alfa Romeo F1 during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks with Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Alfa Romeo F1 during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas had a successful partnership while they were teammates at Mercedes. Both drivers help the German team to take home 5 consecutive constructors’ championships. But this season Bottas is driving for Alfa Romeo Racing after leaving Mercedes at the end of the last season. However, it looks like both drivers are still on good terms despite driving for 2 different teams.
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During the pre-race press conference in Australia, the 7-time world champion explained what is it like to have a new teammate this season. He cheekily took a dig at Valtteri’s age while answering the question.
While Lewis is happy to have a younger team-mate in Russell, with Valtteri quick to interrupt Lewis 👀
Hamilton 🗣 "It’s great. It’s good to be with someone younger, I was saying how old Valtteri is"
Bottas 🗣 "I’m younger than you, mate!"
Hamilton 🗣 "You’ve got an old soul!" pic.twitter.com/FFM82qF3o6
— Autosport (@autosport) April 8, 2022
“It’s great. It’s good to be with someone younger. I was saying how old Valtteri is,” said Lewis. But the Finnish driver quickly fired back and replied, “I’m younger than you, mate!”. But Hamilton closed out the banter by stating,” You’ve got an old soul!”.
The Finnish driver’s quick-witted reply might have caught out the 7-time world champion, but Valtteri had no response to his ultimate comeback. Both drivers genuinely share a camaraderie between them that they have continued even after they stop being teammates this season.
Valtteri Bottas provides an update on his relationship with Lewis Hamilton
The Finnish driver mentioned that he and the 7-time world champions are still good friends. He admitted that although they might not share the same team garage, they’re still mates. Bottas even revealed that both of them still fly out together after the races.
READ MORE: Why Do Mercedes Dominate F1?
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“You know, we’re maybe not teammates, but still mates. It is nice. We have a good relationship in a way. Because we did achieve quite a bit of things together as teammates. I think that kind of friendship will for sure last too,” said Valtteri.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Mexico Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – November 6, 2021, Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas celebrates pole position with Lewis Hamilton Pool via REUTERS/Francisco Guasco
It is nice to see that both drivers are still on good terms even if they’re not teammates anymore. The Finnish driver does look more relaxed with Alfa Romeo than he did in Mercedes for 5 years.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Toto Wolff Swears, Valtteri Bottas Bares: Funniest Moments From Drive to Survive
He is truly showcasing his talent and speed behind the wheel by even outperforming Lewis Hamilton last qualifying. Although they may not have had any wheel-to-wheel action till now, it would be interesting to see Bottas and Hamilton battle it out once again on track.
