Towards the end of the 2015 Formula 1 season, Valtteri Bottas twice collided with his fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, with the Williams Martini Racing driver feeling the moves should act as a warning to those who doubt him during wheel-to-wheel battles.
Bottas and Scuderia Ferrari driver Raikkonen came to blows in both Russia and Mexico, but the Finn insists that despite continuing to calculate whether a move should be made, he will not back out of that move once he is committed to it.
“Maybe the last few races I started being more aggressive,” said Bottas to Autosport. “Normally I’ve been known as a conservative driver, always bringing the car home.
“I still calculate every risk but at some point there is the situation where it is better not to back off. It can either get you a good result or in the worst case maybe some other drivers know that they shouldn’t try that.
“I will keep my style as always, always calculating the risks. If I see a clear opportunity to go for it, I go for it and don’t back off.”
