Bottas reveals his ‘secret dream’ with Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas still wants a Drivers’ World Championship, but for now he is merely “secretly dreaming” of a podium finish with Alfa Romeo.

The Finn is settling into life with the Swiss-based team following his move from Mercedes and on Wednesday afternoon, he was out on track putting in his first serious data-gathering session with the camouflage-liveried C42 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

With Mercedes having decided their future was George Russell alongside Lewis Hamilton in all-British driver line-up, the options were limited for Bottas who found himself signing for the team that finished ninth of 10 in last year’s Constructors’ World Championship.

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The much-changed regulations for 2022 offer Alfa Romeo a big opportunity to substantially improve, but ultimately the 32-year-old knows in the short term at least he is unlikely to be challenging for titles.

Nevertheless, there has been no dulling of Bottas’ ambitions, even though they are currently at a more modest level than had he remained at Mercedes.

It all starts now #VB77 @alfaromeoorlen @alfaromeoorlen https://t.co/4nEti5Vmbi

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) February 22, 2022

“I still haven’t given up the goal I have, it’s to one day win the championship, so that will always be the dream,” said Bottas, quoted by Motorsport.com.

“But for now, I dream we can make a good step forward as a team. I feel like consistently