• Latest
  • Trending

Bottas is a “more complete driver” after extended F1 break

June 15, 2020

Strong Start, Bitter End: Quinn and McCutcheon’s promising weekend undone by engine woes at Queensland Raceway

July 1, 2025

Paddon and Hudson clinch strong second after thrilling battle in Ypres

July 1, 2025

Lawson returns to Silverstone with proven track record and momentum

July 1, 2025

Format changes set to rev up Toyota FR Oceania Trophy

July 1, 2025

Leitch scores double Pro-Am podiums in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Fuji round

June 30, 2025
Louis Sharp, Rodin Motorsport. FIA Formula 3 Championship - Round 6 - Spielberg, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria.

Tough Break: Louis Sharp endures first DNF of the season in chaotic F3 Sprint Race; finishes P18 in Feature

June 30, 2025

Lawson delivers standout drive in Austria with career-best P6 finish; surpasses Tsunoda in Driver’s Standings

June 30, 2025

Breakthrough oval run for Van Gisbergen amid caution-filled chaos in Atlanta

June 29, 2025

Lawson delivers season-best F1 qualifying performance with P6 at the Red Bull Ring

June 29, 2025

Read and Smart shine in gruelling opening day of WRC Acropolis Rally

June 28, 2025

Paddon and Hudson lead after day 1 at iconic Ardeca Ypres Rally

June 28, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
VelocityNews
Subscribe
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

Bottas is a “more complete driver” after extended F1 break

by Josh Revell
June 15, 2020
in Formula 1, International, News
0

Valtteri Bottas believes he is a “more complete driver” and at his physical peak, heading the season opener in Austria.

With the pandemic forcing the opening 10 races of the year to be called off, the new season will get underway on 5 July in Austria – more than seven months after the last F1 race.

While drivers have only had six days of pre-season testing in February to get to know their 2020 cars in that break, many have used the recent lockdown to work on their fitness.

Mercedes driver Bottas revealed that the additional time to focus on his physical condition has led to some impressive results, giving him confidence heading into the new season.

“Three or four weeks ago, I did a fitness test that I normally do once or twice a year, and it was my best ever.

“As a driver, you don’t get that many months normally to focus on your fitness, it’s normally just the winter break. But now it’s been an extended break, and I was really systematic on the training, and it was amazing to see the results and how good you feel.

“I really feel that this extra time off that was unexpected was only good for me. That’s a rare time that as a driver you get so much time off, and actually do different kinds of things, and also time to focus on yourself, improving yourself physically and mentally.”

Bottas won four grands prix in 2019 and secured second place in the drivers’ championship.

However, the Finn faces tough competition from Mercedes teammate and six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton if he is to capture his maiden title.

Bottas said the shortened season would make any errors extra costly, but was pleased with the progress he made even through testing to prepare for the campaign.

“It’s obviously going to be a pretty special season, because it’s going to be shorter than the planned amount of races.

“Every mistake will cost you much more than previously, and it’s all about the consistency.

“I feel with the things that we’ve been working on with the team and with my core engineering team in terms of my driving style, I have a couple of new things in my driving style toolbox that I could use.

“I could prove that in Barcelona testing, I could feel in some types of corners I made good steps, and I’ve been focusing on that during the lockdown, driving other things.

“I just feel I’m more complete as a driver, and physically I’m peaking now, so hopefully that can really translate.

“I’m really confident, mentally, and in a good place, and I’m going to go all-out, no doubt.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.