Bottas reports for duty with 'good feelings' about 2019

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Valtteri Bottas clocked in at Brackley this week, putting himself in gear for the new season with a fresh and positive mindset.

After a disappointing 2018 season marked by misfortune and under-performance, both of which left him in a difficult support role for team mate Lewis Hamilton at the end of the day, Bottas is aware of the importance of this year's campaign.

The 29-year-old will start the season with his back against the wall, and Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon lurking in the wings. But switching off for a few weeks reinvigorated the Finn.

"It was a really good break, I went to Finland to see Santa Claus," said a bearded and jovial Bottas.

"I went to South America, Chile, Argentina, for a good holiday, a good disconnect from Formula 1 so (I'm) fully recharged for the new year.

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"It's good to be back here," he added.

"Everything is still as it was when I was here last time in December. Everyone's working hard for the new car, it's nice to see the progress we've been making.

"Soon I'm going to see the car in the wind tunnel and all that, and already done some seat fittings for next year, already done some engineering meetings with the guys about testing and about the new year."

The Finn expressed a palpable sense of anticipation, and optimism.

"It's all pretty cool stuff, and top secret stuff that I'm not going to share but it's always an exciting time of the year seeing the thing coming together with the new car.

"The holidays are over, we're all working for the new year hard and I look forward to 2019 and what it brings... I have good feelings."

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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.