Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has poured cold water on claims of a ‘new Valtteri Bottas’ after his win in Australia.
The Finn took victory by 20 seconds from teammate Lewis Hamilton this past Sunday, with a more selfish approach for 2019 heralded for ending his 16-month drought.
However, in his Starting Grid podcast, Schumacher believes the final result massively flattered the Mercedes driver.
“I would say that was just a good weekend for him, no more and no less, I would not interpret that much,” the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver said.
“He showed in qualifying that he is on the level of Hamilton, but in the end, he was still a tenth away because he has just made the famous mistake, and without [Hamilton’s damaged] underbody and the start it would be the usual picture I’m pretty sure.
“That’s why: Yes, it’s good that he made it, but we do not have a new Bottas, which would be very surprising.”
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Schumacher went on, suggesting Bottas could potentially use his success in the season-opener as a launch pad but needs to match Hamilton in one key area.
“Bottas definitely needs the momentum, no question about last year. He’s a driver anyway, who can be as quick as an arrow, but not so consistent, and not so consistently under pressure,” he explained.
“He did not really have that kind of pressure [during] that race because he could lead.
“Lewis’s strength is his consistency, his ability to race at the right time, and then I want him [Bottas] to do it, but I would be very surprised if he had learned that over the winter.
“It’s also a character thing after all, but he still drove a strong race, which makes me very happy for him.”
