Bottas cranks it up: 'I’m going to beat everyone this year'

©Mercedes

Whether it's a case of wishful thinking or a decision making process based on his own evidence, Valtteri Bottas has a clear target for 2019: to beat everyone!

After securing his first three wins in F1 with Mercedes in 2017, Bottas endured a disappointing campaign last year that concluded with a winless track record.

The Finn is pumped up however for the season ahead, fresh from a productive period of preparation and aware of what he needs to achieve to defend his plum Silver Arrows seat.

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On several occasions recently he's expressed his optimism over 2019, but last weekend he took his confidence up a notch.

"I got to Finland, got properly smashed a few times, did anything I wanted to do basically," he told the AP, explaining how he had dealt at the end of last year with his 2018 frustrations.

"Then I got a camera, I started photographing, it’s like a new hobby now so sometimes went for a walk somewhere and took pictures.

"I also travelled with my wife and some friends to South America, just for a proper holiday, didn’t think about Formula One.

"When I came back I decided that I’m going to beat everyone this year."

The 29-year-old from Nastola believes he will have what it takes to secure the title in 2019.

"Yes, that is my aim and I feel I can do it," he added.

"That’s the goal but how to get there, that’s going to be hard work.

"I feel it’s a nice fresh start.

"I’ve learned that the first half of the season is always very important. I started the year pretty well, just sometimes lost some points because of different things.

"I’m ready to go for it and try to be a better 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.