Bottas was ready to leave F1 in 2018 as he found himself in a “dark place”

Last updated:11 hours ago

Valtteri Bottas was chosen as the successor for the retiring Nico Rosberg at Mercedes in 2016. After two years at the top-performing racing team, however, he found himself in a “dark place” and even thought of turning his back on Formula 1.

It’s not easy to keep up with multiple world champion Lewis Hamilton. Having Hamilton as a direct teammate, the person you measure yourself against the most, is even more difficult.

Valtteri Bottas had to experience this painfully.

Bottas’ 2018 season

2017, in the first year after Bottas switched from Williams to Mercedes, he managed to take the win three times.

In 2018, however, the tide changed.

Bottas did not even once reach the top step of the podium. By the end of the season, even the other podium steps remained out of reach for him.

Overall, he finished the 2018 season in fifth place – for the second Mercedes driver, alongside the then…