Lewis Hamilton has paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-standing Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas following the announcement of the latter’s transfer to Alfa Romeo next season, expressing his pride in working alongside the Finn for five years.
Bottas moved to Mercedes in 2017 in the wake of Nico Rosberg’s retirement from the sport.
The quiet Finn’s presence in the team restored a harmony and balance that had been lost at the Brackley squad, eroded by the tense and fierce rivalry between Hamilton and Rosberg.
While Bottas always ambitioned to raise his game at the start of every season, fighting a Hamilton in his prime was always going to be a tall order for his teammate.
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In addition to his nine career wins with Mercedes, the 31-year-old’s contribution to the German manufacturer’s championship winning campaigns has been significant, with Hamilton often the recipient of the Finn’s unwavering support as a faithful and uncontroversial team player.
The Briton took to social media on Monday to express his gratitude for his teammate’s contribution and support, as a driver but also as an individual.