Bottas has devised 'a plan' to beat Hamilton in 2020

Valtteri Bottas already has his sights set on 2020 and more precisely on how he will go about finally defeating Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Bottas hit the ground running at the start of the current season, trading wins with Hamilton in the first few races of 2019.

However, the Briton eventually left the Finn trailing after Baku and irresistibly took command of the championship which he wrapped up in Austin.

Ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, Bottas was asked whether he needed to resort to psychological tactics, à la Nico Rosberg, to gain a more definitive edge over Hamilton.

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It was a question to which Bottas offered a courteous but determined response.

"To be honest, I am slightly already bored about that question because every driver is individual. I am me I am not Nico," said Bottas.

"For sure I have plans to find the different ways of how I want to achieve my goal, which is ultimately the championship. That means beating my teammate but also many other drivers.

"I always preferred to do the talking on track and, if I am able to keep up my performance and put all the energy I have into my performance, then that is best for me."

Bottas alluded to potential mind games as a ploy that could perhaps detach his attention from what he feels is essential.

"If I start wasting my energy elsewhere, it might take my mind off the driving which is what really matters.

"If I can perform at the level I want, that normally upsets the other side of the garage a little bit, and I know being on the other side as well it can lead you to mistakes.

"I have a plan for next year but I am not willing to share it so we will find out."

After clinching his maiden wins in 2017, the 30-year-old failed to step up on to the highest step of the podium last year. But a reset last winter revived his winning aspirations and has so far yielded four victories this season.

"Overall, it's been my best so far in F1 but still not a season I am aiming for," he said.

"I still need a bit more consistency and fewer mistakes. But the thing that gives me a good feeling and confidence for the future, is really starting to see the work with the engineers and myself driving wise.

"It's being really able to target many of the weaknesses I have and be able to improve my pace in different circumstances. That is very satisfying to see and kind of makes you want more."

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