F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Bottas 'feeling better' since securing Mercedes future

Valtteri Bottas says he been feeling better since he secured his future with Mercedes, and wonders whether the uncertainty that surrounded his fate before F1's summer break had an impact on his performance.

Bottas kicked off his 2019 campaign with two wins in the first four races, drawing level with teammate Lewis Hamilton at that point.

However, the Finn failed to score a single win in the following eight events while Hamilton added six victories to his tally, stretching is lead over Bottas in the drivers' standings to 63 points.

Bottas questions whether his contract negotiations over the summer ha a bearing on his results.

"It's always the same," Bottas said. "I can't say honestly if it made a difference or not.

"I can only say that it's not going to make a difference in the future, knowing that everything is done.

"It's impossible to say how it can affect your thinking process, your racecraft, your weekend preparation if there's' talks going on or not.

"Knowing myself, I perform better when things are done and there are no disturbing things from that side. So, I'm definitely feeling better than before the break."

While he was dominated by his teammate after Baku, Bottas remained a consistent points scorer, retiring from just one race: the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim where the 30-year-old crashed under the mixed conditions, eight laps from the checkered flag.

Were his contracts talks at the bike of his mind a subconscious distraction in that instance?

"It would be nice to know if a couple of the mistakes I did, like let's say Hockenheim if it had an effect or not," reflected Bottas.

"But I can't say, honestly. When I went off, I was not thinking, 'do I have a contract for next year or not?'. But if it affects somehow, who knows."

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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.

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