Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Bottas can be as quick as Rosberg, says Lauda

Published 01/17/2017, 06:15 AM
Updated 01/17/2017, 06:20 AM
© Reuters. Formula 1 -Austria Grand Prix

© Reuters. Formula 1 -Austria Grand Prix

LONDON (Reuters) - Niki Lauda believes new Mercedes signing Valtteri Bottas can be as fast as the man he replaced, retired Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg.

"Bottas is the best man (for the job). I believe that he can drive as fast as Nico. I believe he can win the world championship," the Austrian, a retired triple champion, told Germany's RTL television.

"We can start the season in a very calm and confident manner with the pair of them," added the Mercedes team's non-executive chairman.

Mercedes announced the Finn's arrival from Williams on Monday, with the 27-year-old presented as a quick and experienced team mate for Britain's triple world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton won 10 of the 21 races last year but was beaten overall by Rosberg, the rival he has measured himself against since they were boyhood team mates in karting and who won nine races.

The Briton, whose first title was with McLaren in 2008, beat Rosberg comfortably to the championship in 2015 and also prevailed in 2014.

Rosberg announced his retirement in December, five days after taking the title, in a surprise move that left Mercedes scrambling to secure a replacement with all the top drivers already under contract elsewhere.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has had a long-standing involvement in Bottas's management, although he said that will now end, and was a former shareholder in Mercedes-powered Williams.

Hamilton, 32, will start the new season in Australia on March 26 as favourite to take a fourth title but Lauda said the mood at the team was relaxed because they again had two top drivers.

"We looked for a driver who fits our team. Until now we always had two top drivers who could fight for the world championship," he said.

"Nico and Lewis were a fine example of that, because they were fighting head-to-head.

"In the last three years we won everything there was to win. And this is why we decided to go with Bottas, as he brings experience and speed to the team.

© Reuters. Formula 1 -Austria Grand Prix

"Both drivers can push as hard as they want, as always," continued the Austrian. "This has never changed at Mercedes and it will not change in the future."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.