Bottas had no role in choosing Zhou: 'I trust Vasseur'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
After five years at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas will be switching to Alfa Romeo next year. A big step back for the Finn, but the Finn will do everything to make his time at Alfa Romeo a success. His teammate will be the rookie Guanyu Zhou, who is also the only rookie of the season, and Bottas will certainly want to help him on his way.
Alfa Romeo combines youth and experience
Zhou will become the first Chinese driver to compete in a Formula 1 race next season. The 22-year-old driver finished third in Formula 2 last season and will be the only new face in Formula 1 next season. The 32-year-old Finn brings experience to the team with 178 Grands Prix, ten wins and 67 podiums.
Mentor role for Bottas
In conversation with FormulaPassion Bottas said that he has confidence in the partnership. Moreover, the former Mercedes driver will take on a mentor role for the ten years younger Zhou. "Of course I try to help my teammate. We have to work as a team. I hope this will bring us a lot of points and good results," the Finn is hopeful.
In September Bottas was confirmed as the replacement for the departing Kimi Raikkonen and two months later Zhou's arrival was also confirmed. Bottas was well aware of who might become his teammate. "I trust Frederic Vasseur, he knows what is best for the team, so I had no active role in the choice of the teammate."