Valtteri Bottas confirms switch to Alfa Romeo next season
ALFA ROMEO HAS ANNOUNCED A multi-year deal with Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, who will be leaving Mercedes at the end of the season.
The rumours of Valtteri joining Alfa Romeo had been circulating for quite some time in the paddock now and the deal just got confirmed on Monday, 6th September, a day after the Dutch grand prix where Max Verstappen cruised to victory.
He will be under the leadership of his former boss Frederic Vasseur with whom he won the GP3 title at ART grand prix in 2011. His departure confirms the long-awaited promotion of George Russel, who has proved he deserves his seat at Mercedes alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Valtteri, who was with the Silver Arrows team since 2017, has played a key role in the domination of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton and secured 9 wins and 53 podiums during his time with the team.
Bottas’ experience will be key to Alfa Romeo, as they look to make a move towards the front of the grid next year.
“I am proud of what I have achieved in Brackley and I am fully focused on finishing the job as we fight for another world championship, but I am also looking forward to the new challenges that await me next year.”
Vasseur added: “It is a pleasure to welcome Valtteri to the team and we are looking forward to our journey together. With him, we bring to Hinwil a strong team player with experience at the sharp end of the grid.
“Valtteri has been an integral part of a team that rewrote the history books and he has four constructors’ world titles to his name: he is the right driver to help Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN make a step forward towards the front of the grid.
Valtteri will be replacing retiring world champion Kimi Raikonen, who leaves the sport at the end of the season after almost 20 years.
(By Siddhant Mane)
Related Report
Kimi Raikonen retires from F1; Hamilton leads tributes
