Valtteri Bottas Reveals What Specifically Changed in His Relationship With Lewis Hamilton This Year

Ever since Mercedes AMG revealed their 2017 line-up starring Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, the duo had hardly spent time with each other off the track; The relationship looked rather stale and mute, with both of the drivers often looking to keep a distance from each other on and off the track.

However, 2021 has witnessed a spiraling twist. Bottas is gelling very much with the 7-time world champion amidst the latter’s heartwarming credits to the Finn on social media. This ‘bromance’ has also looked even more evident since Mercedes affirmed Bottas would be heading out by the end of this season.

Well, Bottas managed to acknowledge it too, during a recent interview.

What did Valtteri Bottas say?

Speaking to Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish media house, Bottas revealed that he has been traveling to Grand Prix events together with Hamilton on the same plane this year.

“Especially this year feels like I’ve gotten to know him a lot more. This year we have traveled together on the same plane to and from the races. At the same time, both team friendship and friendship have developed tremendously,” Bottas said.

One of the reasons behind the bolstering of the duo’s relationship is Hamilton’s gracious comments on Bottas since the latter’s Turkish GP victory. Ahead of the Qatar GP weekend, Hamilton took to social media to post an image featuring himself and his teammate. But, it was his caption that garnered the biggest attention.

“Rain or shine, another weekend with the ‘king’ Valtteri Bottas – LET’S GET IT,” he wrote.

“This year has been the first…”: Bottas

Bottas opened up that he had often communicated with Hamilton between races this season, which wasn’t the case in the past, hence, changing the spirit of the game.

“The year has been the first to be communicated between the races. Usually, our own stuff has been done. But, this year the spirit of the game has changed a bit,” the Finn concluded.

Formula One F1 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the race with third place Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

Overall, Bottas is indeed one of the greatest wingmen Hamilton has ever had; Be it Bottas’ crucial Turkish GP victory that prevented Verstappen from running away with the championship or his decision to let Hamilton by in Brazil, ultimately leading the Briton to win the race altogether.

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