Five intense years, which have crowned the dream of driving for a top-level team and fighting for their chances of fighting for the title. 2021 closed the Mercedes cycle of Valtteri Bottas, very important in conquering as many Constructors’ titles but which – on the whole – was far below personal expectations.
“I definitely feel, at least in a way, that I have failed, but looking back I think I did everything I could ” recently declared the Finnish and, in a sense, the the recently concluded season is the mirror of this failure. The performance and points gap that separated him from Lewis Hamilton was abysmal, confirming what had already emerged in previous years: Bottas was nothing more than an excellent second in Mercedes, even if the resignation of being in the shade of the match against Verstappen and Red Bull have held him back more than in the past.
Woodman he was called on more than once to play the role of squire on the track, but almost always – perhaps Turkey was the only exception, Hungary aside – he missed the target, proving unstable in the melee against Max. true, the Dutchman was on another level this year, but this deficit is clearly highlighted when compared to the other luxury second, Sergio Perez.
With the exception of the first part of the season used to familiarize himself with the team and the car, the Mexican made the difference when he had to get his shoulders wide against Hamilton. Turkey, Brazil, but above all Abu Dhabi: Checo was crucial and of fundamental help for Verstappen and, without a bit of bad luck and with a few less difficulties, he would have allowed Red Bull to take home the Constructors’ title as well.
Now for Bottas an entirely new adventure in Alfa Romeo is starting: it is never easy to return to fighting in the middle of the group with the feeling of being unfinished but perhaps, without the encumbrance of such an excellent teammate, he will be able to do well again. and to find a full smile.
Valtteri Bottas, 226 points. 3rd place. Average: 10.27 points. In 2020: 2nd place
Rating: 5½
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