Valtteri Bottas admits the opportunity to silence the Tifosi does generate extra motivation to beat Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix.
As you’d expect, the grandstands are once again a sea of red at Monza and so far this weekend, things are looking up with Charles Leclerc starting on pole.
But, last year it was Mercedes who had the last laugh as Lewis Hamilton took the win drawing a frosty reception after the race.
“Well last year I think as a team, we did pretty well getting both cars on the podium on a strong track for Ferrari – and for that, we got the booing on the podium,” Bottas recalled, speaking to Crash.net.
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“For sure it motivates us to try and be strong on their home soil, it is extra motivation. In the end, it’s just another race, but they obviously are very well supported here, and some tracks we have more support. That’s how it goes.
“For sure you can see the passion from the fans, and it was a bit quiet after the race last year. We are here to get the best result for us.
“I’m really hungry for a win, so we’ll try to do everything I can so I’m on top rather than any of the red cars.”
Bottas will start Sunday’s race from third on the grid after being quite fortuitous to have his initial time in Q3 stand as he crossed the line mere fractions of a second before a red flag suspension came into effect.
Now he needs to focus on keeping Sebastian Vettel behind him and trying to somehow get ahead of his teammate if he has any aspirations of catching Hamilton in the championship during the final flyaways.