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Bottas: Aim is still to become world champion with Mercedes

10:15, 23 Sep 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Valtteri Bottas has not lost sight of his ultimate goal in Formula One of becoming a world champion. The Finn is arguably at the best team in the sport currently however since joining the Mercedes team in 2017, has failed to show any championship quality outside of a handful of wins.

Speaking to CNN ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, Bottas admitted that Finnish drivers had set quite the example for him to follow and that the country builds competitors differently to other nations.

"I think for sure, part of that comes from being Finnish and the way we are," Bottas told CNN.

"Our mentality is really good for the sport, we don't tend to give up and being in difficult situations under pressure, which is good in this sport.

"We don't mind being alone because in the end in that car you are quite alone and that's how it feels."

At Mercedes, Bottas faces competition from one of the greats of the current generation in Lewis Hamilton, who is currently in top form as his championship fight with Sebastian Vettel comes to a close.

Bottas though says he wouldn't want to be at any other team now other than the reigning constructor's champions.

"I wouldn't change my position to anywhere else now. I'm happy where I am because Lewis being Lewis, quick driver, he keeps me very motivated. I want to be ahead of him, me as a driver, you can always learn from another driver.

"The goal was to be a world champion and it still is. So I'm still chasing my dreams, trying to reach the goal I said to myself and pretty much all the people around when I was six.

"I'm still realistically on that path, there's still a possibility for that in the future so I think I've done quite well so far but of course, I want to win my goal."