Bottas happy with Wolff: 'Since I've been at Mercedes we have a different relationship'

F1 News

24 April 2021 at 09:39
Last update 24 April 2021 at 12:21
  • GPblog.com

Valtteri Bottas says his relationship with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is good. The Finn remembers the first meeting in Austria very well.

Bottas has been driving for the Mercedes team since 2017, but he has known team boss Wolff for much longer than that. The two first met in 2008. At that time Bottas wasn't even driving F1 himself and Mercedes didn't even have the factory team they have now.

Wolff important in Bottas' life

Bottas remembers the first meeting well: "We had a good conversation, even though I was very young," the Finn says in conversation with Formule1.nl. "Toto was an important part of my management. That's how you get to know each other and become friends."

Wolff was Bottas' manager until the nine-time Grand Prix winner made the switch from Williams to Mercedes. "Since I've been at Mercedes, Toto is my boss and we have a somewhat different relationship. Toto is someone I can trust," Bottas concluded.

Bottas under pressure

For some time now Bottas has been under pressure at Mercedes. The results are often disappointing compared to teammate Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, George Russell has been waiting to take over Bottas' seat. But whether that will happen is not clear yet.