Valtteri Bottas issues immediate title challenge to new Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas began life as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate with a bold commitment to win the World Championship in his first season at Mercedes.

“Being in this kind of team, you can’t target anything less,” the Finn said at his official unveiling, where he signed for one season, with an option to extend. “It’s my only dream in Formula One, so I’m ready to do everything I can.”

Bottas had long been the clear favorite to secure the seat vacated by Nico Rosberg last December, given that all other contenders – Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso chief among them – were locked into lucrative deals elsewhere.  It helps, too, that team principal Toto Wolff is also Bottas’ manager. The German’s abrupt decision to retire in the wake of his title triumph left Mercedes in a difficult position.

While he insisted that he would not be content playing Hamilton’s understudy, Bottas argued that he could, in spite of his understated personality, form a constructive partnership with Mercedes’ alpha male. “I see no problem at all. I respect Lewis a lot, as a driver and as a person. We can push each other to the next level.”

Whether he will be so diplomatic in the wake of this season’s first race, in Australia in March, remains to be seen.

“Sometimes in life, unexpected circumstances provide interesting opportunities,” Wolff said. “Nico’s decision in December was a big surprise. But weathering the storm makes you more resilient, and we see this as a chance for us to grow. Valtteri is modest, humble and hard-working.”

I am excited to see what #77 will do this year for Mercedes. Given that my hockey jersey number is also #77 Bottas now gets my vote for F1 Champion next season..