Bottas bewildered by 'people who need to criticize'

©Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas' critics took a shellacking in Russia, crushed by the Mercedes driver's dominant victory and a post-race message aimed at those who incessantly try to put him down.

Bottas clinched his ninth win on Sunday, his second of the season, a timely triumph achieved amid a season monopolized by teammate Lewis Hamilton and against a backdrop of petty criticism by his maligners.

The scorching ramped up recently on the Finn's Instagram account, inciting a defiant Bottas to snap right back at his detractors with a few direct words of his own, an unusual kickback for an F1 driver on social media.

But on his victorious cool-down lap at Sochi, Bottas once again set the record straight with his critics, quipping over the radio an assertive "To whom it may concern… Fuck you!", a retort first delivered after a winning stint in Australia in 2019.

"Honestly I don’t get the people who have the need to criticise people," said Bottas after Sunday's race.

"There’s been people telling me that I should not bother, I should give up. But you know how I am, I will never do that. So, I just wanted to again send my best wishes to them. It just came out."

Hamilton's over 50 percent win-rate this season could have 'psyched out' Bottas by now. But the 31-year-old is digging deep to uphold his self-belief and confidence, and hopes his refusal to give in inspires others to do the same.

Read also: Bottas in bullish mood after clinching victory in Sochi

"When I come to every every race weekend, I’m confident and I believe I can do it. And that’s how I’m always going to be," he insisted.

"You have to have that mindset. And I’m glad - like, even yesterday was tough - I didn’t give up. I looked at the positives and I knew there will be opportunities and things came to me today.

"So, I hope I can encourage people not to give up because that’s the biggest mistake you can do in your life."

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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.