Two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen has backed Valtteri Bottas to rebound from his tough 2018 season.
The Mercedes driver started the year strongly even beating teammate Lewis Hamilton at times but bad luck saw his results dip and as a result, he ended the year fifth in the Drivers’ Championship without a win to his name.
Bottas is also facing new pressure to prove himself heading into next year with Esteban Ocon now a reserve driver at the Brackley-based team and keen for a promotion in 2020.
Hakkinen though has faith in his fellow flying Finn.
“Victory in Azerbaijan was taken away from him by a puncture, and for much of the season he had to support Lewis Hamilton as the Mercedes team came under pressure from Ferrari,” the ex-McLaren racer said in his column for UniBet.
“Of course Valtteri wanted to be winning, but one thing you learn quickly in Formula 1 is that the road to the top is not always straight.
“I remember when I was racing against teammates and great names such as Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell,” he recalled.
“I was not yet winning, but I learned a lot from watching them, working hard in the team and improving step by step.
“It’s all about constantly improving, one day being quicker than your team-mate, sometimes slower.”
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Hakkinen also has the belief Bottas can go all the way to become F1 champion if he fulfils his potential.
“Valtteri is mega quick, fit and hard-working,” Mika stated. “With Mercedes behind him and the team of people around him including me, I have no doubt that he will take the next steps towards winning races and a world championship title.”