Rosberg to discuss Hamilton with Bottas before F1 season

With new regulations, greater expectations and tussling with Hamilton, Bottas has plenty on his plate, prompting him to seek guidance from Rosberg.

Published : Feb 14, 2017 09:14 IST

Nico Rosberg speaking at the Laureus Awards.
Nico Rosberg speaking at the Laureus Awards.
lightbox-info

Nico Rosberg speaking at the Laureus Awards.

Nico Rosberg will meet with Valtteri Bottas to discuss being Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate, but insists he will not give away any of the three-time world champion's "secrets".

Bottas was plucked from Williams to replace Rosberg at the Silver Arrows after the German driver retired with the drivers' title.

In beating Hamilton to the title, Rosberg became just the second team-mate to get the better of the Briton over the course of a season - the other was Jenson Button.

With new regulations, greater expectations and tussling with Hamilton, Bottas has plenty on his plate, prompting him to seek guidance from Rosberg.

"Well I would tell him don't expect an easy ride because it's going to be challenging," Rosberg told a news conference at the Laureus Awards.

"Coming in to a new team, with Lewis being there for so many years... new regulations and Lewis is one of the best out there so the level is extremely high.

"But at the same time, Valtteri is very talented so he can achieve great things as well, as long as the team give him a good car.

"He's asked me if we could have a chat soon and I'm happy to do that of course but I will stay very neutral and I won't give away any of Lewis's secrets, I'll just help him integrate better in the team."

Rosberg has also discussed what is anticipated to be a frantic drivers' market at the end of the coming season.

Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso headline a stacked field of free agents and Rosberg has suggested that the Silver Arrows could pursue the pair - a theme also echoed by Toto Wolff, who has failed to guarantee Bottas' long-term prospects.

Rosberg added: "What I said was it would definitely make sense for Sebastian to have a look at that Mercedes seat for 2018 and for Mercedes to look at him and consider him, I mean that's obvious.

"He's one of the best drivers out there and he doesn't have a contract for 2018 so they should explore the possibility and who knows it could be a great fit."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment