Bottas ‘couldn’t have same role’ at Mercedes as he does at Alfa

Valtteri Bottas says he feels like he is more than just a driver with the Alfa Romeo team, the Finn finally in a position of “proper authority”.

After five years racing for Mercedes, Bottas joined Alfa Romeo ahead of this year’s championship.

The 32-year-old has not only found himself in a very different environment, but also in a different position as he is firmly entrenched as Alfa Romeo’s lead driver.

No longer carrying the tag of “wingman” as he was once called by Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff, his new team boss Fred Vasseur has made it clear that Bottas is the team leader, the one in the position to drive the team forward.

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And Bottas is relishing that.

Busy day @alfaromeoorlen #VB77 #F1 #SimWorld pic.twitter.com/LSieAGi2dY

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) April 14, 2022

“I really feel a big part of the team,” he told The Race. “And it’s been really nice to have proper authority on things.

“If I ask for something it happens, and everyone really listens. And I’ve been able to motivate some people.

“It’s just a really motivated and good feeling in the team now, everyone is really trying hard. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do but of course, the results, like at first race, scoring those