Valtteri Bottas 2.0
Where Was Valtteri Bottas 2.0 During The Canadian Grand Prix?
Formula One

Where was he, where was porridge eating, mentally focused Valtteri Bottas 2.0 during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend? As Ferrari surged to pole position and matched Mercedes for race pace Valtteri Bottas 2.0 seemed conspicuous by his notable absence. He won in two great victories in Australia and Azerbaijan. When he hasn’t won he has finished second. Except for the Monaco Grand Prix where he claimed third through no fault of his own. At the end of the day, Bottas 2.0 has to be fighting at the top of his game every weekend to get the better of Hamilton. If he doesn’t, then it’s game over. Against Hamilton, he can never rest.

At Monaco, he looked in fine form, claiming a strong podium finish. But at the Canadian Grand Prix, he had a sloppy qualifying by his current standards. Then during the race, he struggled to get past the Renaults and eventually dropped out of contention. Around 30 seconds out of contention with a distant 4th place. When he needed to be going ding-dong with the Ferrari’s and Hamilton he could only claim the fastest lap and 1 point. But 1 point could make the difference… if he is still a contender for the driver’s championship.

Meanwhile, second placed Lewis Hamilton was pressuring the Ferrari ahead of him. Both Vettel and Hamilton looked evenly matched. And through sheer competitive will power, Hamilton won the race. That’s one of the differences between Hamilton and Bottas 2.0. It isn’t about the Porridge in the morning, it isn’t just about the fitness regime, it isn’t about refining the details.

And it isn’t necessarily about the mentality or the focus. It definitely isn’t about the beard. It’s about digging deep and crossing a line you thought you couldn’t cross. It’s about taking that extra step you didn’t want to take. It’s about overcoming self-doubt not just in one race but the next race and the next race after that.

Because no matter how good you are, how many championships you have won the self-doubt will always be there. And that’s what you have to battle first before you take on the Hamiltons or the Vettels. But all said and done, Hamilton drives at a naturally high level and that’s his basic standard.

Bottas 2.0 has to muster all his skills just to be on the same summit as Hamilton. And when Bottas 2.0 is at the same level, exhausted and looking for nourishment… Hamilton is already at the peak of the mountain looking down on Bottas 2.0. And that’s THE difference between Hamilton and Bottas 2.0.


Valtteri Bottas 2.0
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