Bottas motivation not fueled by 'number 2' allegations

Valtteri Bottas has denied that being called a de-facto 'number 2' driver had something to do with his motivation to win in Russia last weekend.

Until Sochi, the Finn had been basically outpaced by his teammate Lewis Hamilton since joining Mercedes, triggering a debate about whether the team should impose a clear hierarchy.

But he said anger with those questions never intruded into the cockpit.

"All the questions, all the speculation, number two driver and so on, it doesn't get into me. It doesn't matter," said Bottas.

He told Auto Motor und Sport: "I knew the season was still young."

Brundle not betting against Bottas for the title

Team orders may have subsided for now, but could a tight battle between the Silver Arrows drivers disrupt the apparent peaceful relation the two men enjoy?

"I think we could have a bit of a ding-dong in terms of going towards one and then the other," said team boss Toto Wolff.

"Lewis had a really bad weekend and we just need to sort out the interaction between the car, the driver and the tyres.

"The relationship between the two of them is very intact. Lewis was one of the first ones to congratulate Valtteri on his first race victory and I think that shows the respect that they have towards each other.

"Nevertheless both are fierce competitors. They want to win races and fight for the championship, but I don't think it will affect the relationship and the dynamics in the team like it did in the last years with Nico and Lewis.

"That is a completely different relationship."

Gallery: All the action from Sunday in Sochi

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.