Bottas 'definitely not happy' with results but working hard to improve

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Valtteri Bottas isn't satisfied with his current level of performance and the points gap which separated him from team mate Lewis Hamilton.

The Finn enjoyed a good first half of the year, settling in nicely at Mercedes to secure two wins and perform pretty much on a par with Hamilton.

Bottas' has fallen back however since the summer the middle of the summer, failing to extract the most from a car which his team mate appears more comfortable with.

The troubled period has left him 72 points adrift from Hamilton and nowhere near where he ambitions to be in terms of performance.

Coulthard urges Bottas to 'believe in himself'

"I’m definitely not happy with only two wins so far and with the gap in points between us," lamented the Finn.

"Now [Hamilton] is surely looking strong in the title fight, that’s a fact and, for sure, at this point I would still like to be in that fight.

"After the August break things became more tricky and now it looks like I will be fighting for second place in the championship.

"I think that’s a more realistic goal at this point, unfortunately, but for sure I set my targets high for the season."

Bottas' target is to improve his form and results in the remaining races of the season and step up his game in 2018, and consistently fight for wins alongside his team mate which he aims to beat.

Gaining an upper hand over Hamilton is a tall order for any driver, but Bottas is a believer... in himself.

"Of course I believe in myself and I believe that learning from all the defeats, learning from all the races I’ve been off the pace compared with him," Bottas said.

"By working hard and taking every point I can take to improve, I believe it is possible. I believe in my ability, in myself and the future is still ahead for me."

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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.