Bottas: 2022 probably my most enjoyable F1 season so far

Bottas joined Alfa Romeo at the start of the season after a five-year stint with mercedes which saw him claim 10 Grand Prix victories and twice finish second in the Drivers’ Championship to teammate Lewis Hamilton.

While the Finn has taken a step back from the regular leading form he enjoyed at Mercedes, he has spearheaded Alfa Romeo’s efforts in midfield this season, scoring 41 of his 46 points so far. now.

Bottas has signed a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo for this year, providing certainty over his future he has never enjoyed before with either williams or Mercedes, which opted for annual contract renewals.

“It’s actually the first time for me, because even with Williams it was always a year,” Bottas told Autosport in an interview.

“It’s the first time I haven’t had to stress and answer questions, because now for the drivers who don’t know, it’s sure not going to be nice.”

Bottas admitted he felt more relaxed and better able to “focus fully on work”, giving him more freedom to enjoy racing in F1.

“This season is probably the most enjoyable so far,” Bottas said. “OK, maybe you don’t always remember things, but I really feel like I’m enjoying F1 more than ever.

“When it comes to racing it’s a lot of fun, especially like in midfield and how different the strategy is in races. It’s more like a decision can blow you a lot of places. is a different game.

“In the past at Mercedes normally there was only one team we were fighting against so we just focus on those two cars. But now I can have six cars around that we have to be aware of. . It’s good. “

Bottas said Alfa Romeo’s environment was “quite young” and “like a new racing team”, while being “a bit more relaxed” than Mercedes who regularly battle for wins and championships.

“Of course when I’m working I work hard, but when I’m off I can do whatever I want,” Bottas said. “Life with the team and in F1 and outside is a very good balance.

Bottas is a prolific social media user and posted a cheeky image of him diving into a stream in the United States on his Instagram account earlier this year. The image – dubbed the ‘Bot-ass’ – was turned into a print for a charity auction which raised €50,000.

When asked if he could have posted the picture while at Mercedes, Bottas replied: “I doubt I would have.

“It’s also like, off the track, I’m so relaxed and even like people’s opinions, I care a lot less than before.

“And it was a beautiful picture!”