2020 Russian GP SOCHI AUTODROM, RUSSIAN FEDERATION - SEPTEMBER 27: Race Winner Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 celebrates on the podium with the trophy during the Russian GP at Sochi Autodrom on Sunday September 27, 2020 in Sochi, Russian Federation. Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images Images PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY GP2010_130220_ONZ0703
Valtteri Bottas switched from the Wolff-owned Mercedes F1 team to Alfa Romeo ahead of the 2022 F1 season
Valtteri Bottas was very impressive in the qualifying session of the Bahrain Grand Prix and is all set to line up alongside former team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the starting grid. Bottas who recently switched from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo will start in the 6th position, 3 spots ahead of his replacement in Mercedes, George Russell. Bottas certainly exceeded expectations in the qualifying session.
Mercedes co-owner, team principal and CEO, Toto Wolff revealed that his former driver, Bottas sent him a personal message ahead of the race. Wolff told the media that he received a Whatsapp text from Bottas – “looking forward to racing you guys tomorrow.” “I’m happy for Valtteri that he has made the move to Alfa and he’s the lead driver. As far as I understand, he’s bringing his great personality to the team and he’s energising the team”, said Wolff.
Toto Wolff shares a good rapport with drivers and recently revealed how he stopped Lewis Hamilton from parting ways with Mercedes
Toto Wolff explained how he sorted out issues with Hamilton in his kitchen. Wolff revealed that Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Nico Rosberg had several fallouts at the end of the 2016 season which could have resulted in Hamilton leaving the Mercedes team. The season was a very successful one with Mercedes winning both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships however there were frequent rifts within the team between Hamilton and Rosberg.
Wolff revealed the conversation which eventually led Hamilton to stay with Mercedes and win four more championship titles.
Rosberg claimed his first world title beating Hamilton, who defied team orders during the final race of the season in order to win the championship himself. Hamilton was very close to leaving Mercedes but that’s when co-owner Toto Wolff stepped in to amend the “marriage”.
“We met at a Christmas party in my home at Oxfordshire. I said we need to decide whether we want to work together or not. You want to win as a driver, I want to win as a team. Sometimes our different agendas are going to lead to conflict and we need to decide whether we can cope with that situation. We were in my kitchen”, said Wolff.
He further added, “A purely business-related friendship has become a personal relationship. He’s a friend. Doesn’t mean we don’t argue anymore but now Lewis’s success is the team’s success and vice-versa.”
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