Bottas expects to challenge Ferrari in Austria
Valtteri Bottas expects his updated Williams machine to be strong enough to challenge Ferrari in this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.
But Bottas, who scored his first F1 podium at the Red Bull Ring last year, acknowledges that Mercedes will probably remain out of reach.
The Finn hopes that the latest updates will allow the team to challenge Ferrari for the "best of the rest" role behind the World Champions.
The package is focussed on a revised floor and rear wing.
"We had a really strong weekend, probably the strongest weekend of our last year, here," said Bottas today. "Last year's car especially suited this track really well. I think this year it should be the same thing.
"Obviously Mercedes has been a little bit more ahead at the beginning of the season than they were last year, so being one-two in qualifying is probably more tricky this season, but of course you never know.
"We have some updates in the car which we are going to try on Friday before we get too excited, and then we'll see, we'll know how strong we are.
"From the last race, getting the first podium of the season motivates everyone, we know again we can do a good result. It's feeling good for the weekend now."
Bottas, who finished third in Canada two weeks ago, says a podium is within reach.
"I think that should be our target. I reckon if the updates work as expected, we should be really close with Ferrari.
"That's what we're hoping for for this race, and that way we can really race them at least with the same kind of race pace. That would be good."
Share Or Save This Story
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
F1 world champion among drivers for Race Of Champions’ first New Zealand event
Valtteri Bottas suffers parking blunder in Amelia Dimoldenberg's "Passenger Princess"
You Ask The Questions: Valtteri Bottas
Williams tipped for "huge step" forward at Azerbaijan GP with major upgrade
Carlos Sainz accuses Fernando Alonso of provoking a penalty "like always"
How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday
The NASCAR Trucks Chase is about The Big Three, but who else?
Andrea Stella: McLaren must help Oscar Piastri stop "thinking" about how to drive '26 F1 car
Gateway was a race of opportunity for drivers with several posting season-best results
Christian Rasmussen reunites with Era Motorsport for IMSA’s Indianapolis sprint round
F1 doesn't need to change its VSC rules despite Lando Norris' Spain loss
Why Lando Norris doesn’t buy George Russell’s driving style theory
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments