Formula 1

Valtteri Bottas: “Third carries the weight of a lot of expectation”

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With Williams Martini Racing revealing their FW37 at Jerez, both Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa were enthusiastic about their chances of another good season for the Grove team after being the second fastest car of 2014 for much of last year.

Bottas was a revelation in Formula 1 during 2014, taking six podium finishes on his way to fourth place in the championship, and knows there is a lot of expectation on his and the teams’ shoulders this season. One of his ambitions for the new season is to take his first victory in Formula 1, and his first win anywhere since his GP3 Series winning campaign in 2011.

“Coming into a season after third position in the Constructors’ Championship carries the weight of a lot of expectation,” said Bottas. “Other teams and our fans are expecting a performance like last year, and all the personnel at Williams have been working tirelessly to make sure this is not only achievable but the benchmark for improvement.

“For much of last year we had the second fastest car, and this year we plan to take every opportunity to challenge at the front. After my first podium in 2014 I hope to continue developing as a driver as I aim for my first win. I look forward to working closely with Felipe again this year as we strengthen our relationship to extract the most from the car.”

Team-mate Massa, starting his second year with the team after moving across from Scuderia Ferrari, feels the team are heading in the right direction after taking three podium finishes in 2014. He is hopeful that he can secure even more good results this year in the FW37.

“The momentum we carry from last year has been very encouraging, the team has changed so much from 12 months ago and it is clear to see everyone is heading in a good direction,” said Massa. “The development rate of the FW36 was one of the most exciting elements to the car, the team worked exceptionally hard throughout the year to make sure that we had a faster car at each race, and I look forward to a similarly impressive car this year.

“I am excited to be continuing to work with Valtteri, a driver with so much talent who has so much to offer both the team and me as his team-mate.”

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Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
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