2016 Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg believes Valtteri Bottas does have the ability to “annoy” teammate Lewis Hamilton this season.
Pressure is on the Finn to perform after a combination of poor luck and team orders saw him fail to win a single race last year, marking the first time a Mercedes driver had done so since 2012.
Bottas would finish the 2018 campaign in fifth place in the Drivers’ standings, 161 points behind the champion Hamilton, however, Rosberg is sure that is not a representative picture of the relative ability of the pair.
“Valtteri is a lot better than he’s been able to show recently,” the German told Sky Sports. “With a new season starting again he has a good chance of establishing himself in a much stronger position and even really [be] annoying Lewis quite a lot.
“I think that’s possible. It always depends on how the season starts. Last year he had a lot of bad luck as well. If the luck is on his side and he starts well, it could be a whole different situation.”
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This year is also expected to see another battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, with Red Bull looking to compete more regularly, and Rosberg admits he would be content with his former team again coming out on top on one condition.
“It’s been an amazing run but it’s not necessarily time for a change, it’s time for renewed battles up front and then may the best team win,” he said.
“Mercedes has been the best recently. We want it to go down to the wire, we want to see real action.”
On Wednesday, the German manufacturer, who could win both championships for a sixth straight year, revealed the launch date for their new car, with the W10 set for a shakedown at Silverstone on February 13.