Valtteri Bottas believes his position swap with Lewis Hamilton in Hungary on Sunday  reflected a harmony which benefits the Mercedes team.

After failing to mount an attack on the leading Ferrari duo Hamilton gave the third place position back to his team mate, as he had promised earlier on in the race when he asked to take a shot at challenging the red squad.

"It was a perfect example of what you can do when you have that trust, when you have that respect within teammates," Bottas said.

"The team can really rely on both of you to try things like this. It's only going to get better.

For all the team's harmony, the move still cost the man best placed at Mercedes to challenge Sebastian Vettel a sure three points which ultimately could cost Hamilton the title.

Follow the Budapest in-season F1 test LIVE!

But others argue that it could also win Mercedes the title in the event that Bottas finds himself in contention for the championship if it goes down to the wire.

"We know that, for sure, it's not easy for Lewis to give up a podium place on the last lap, but that was kind of the deal, and really respect for that.

"Not every teammate would do that, I think. That shows that Lewis is a real team player as well."

The Finn is now as essential part of the Mercedes family, and will likely remain a member of te German team in 2018.

"For sure, having done now 11 races with the team definitely you are more part of the team than after just a couple of races," he said.

"I'm feeling very much part of the team. The teammate relationship with have with Lewis is really good."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Norris and Leclerc agree: Sainz 'deserves to fight at the front'

As Carlos Sainz prepares for a new chapter in his Formula 1 career with Williams,…

40 mins ago

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

16 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

17 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

18 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

20 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

21 hours ago