Article by Sergiu Alexandru – published on Friday, August 1, 2025, 13:32 / Updated on Friday, August 20, 20:33
The Finnish Valtteri Bottas (35 years old), the current reserve pilot in Mercedes, accepted a dialogue with the Sports Gazette at the Hungaroring circuit, before the Grand Formula 1. The Grand Prize of Hungary takes place on Sunday, August 3, from 4:00 pm. Will be livetext on gsp.ro and live antenaplay.ro and antenna 1.
With 246 starts in Formula 1 and 10 victories, Bottas is one of the experience with experience in the Great Circus.
He passed to Williams (2010-2016), Mercedes (2017-2021) and Alfa Romeo/Sauber (2022-2024), Valtteri is this season reserve pilot at Mercedes. And he hopes that from next season he will take a new place on the circuit, Cadillac being the most conveyed name when it comes to the possible destination.
Valtteri Bottas, GSP dialogue before the Grand Prize in Hungary: “It's an intense circuit, in which it is difficult to overcome”
In a dialogue worn in Paddock F1, Valtteri Bottas spoke with the Sports Gazette about his impressions about the current season, about how he thinks the competition will take place in the rest of the season and about the circuit a few kilometers from Budapest.
– Valtteri, what do you think how this season has done so far?
– It was a pleasant season to look at. It was nice that I had multiple winners, different podiums. And the fight for the title between Lando and Oscar is very interesting. And so it will be. From the outside, as a fan, it's a pleasant season to look at.
– What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
– It will be tight. The fight at the tip depends on each circuit separately. It matters what team is advantageous by the configuration of each track. Okay, McLaren is strong, but in terms of the rest of the teams, it is a balanced fight. Certain aspects of the season are still under question. And races like the one here, in which the qualifications are very important and in which it is difficult to overcome, are difficult to anticipate.
– Last week we had a race in Belgium, now we are in Hungary. How hard is it for pilots, engineers and mechanics to prepare the car in such a short time?
– It's a lot of work for the whole team. Mechanics work until evening, it is difficult for those who work in other departments. When there are two or three races in consecutive weeks, a lot of work is needed and those involved are dedicated to the team for a long time. But everything is like a well -developed machine. The day before the first workouts, the cars are already prepared in the garage. Everything is ready. This is one of the impressive aspects of this sport, how quickly things move.
– How would you describe the Hungaroring circuit?
– It's not an easy circuit. It's technical and intense. You only have a straight line in the true sense of the word. You don't have time to relax. The unpleasant side is that it is hard to overcome. If you qualify in a good position, you will normally have a good result on Sunday. That's the less good part. But I always liked it here. The atmosphere is very pleasant, the city is very beautiful. So, overall, it's a nice weekend.
Valtteri Bottas, on the podium at Hungariring // Photo: Guliver/Gettyimages
– Given how important it is to leave the pole-postion, how do you set your car for the weekend? Do you focus on qualifications, be fast on Saturday, at the risk of being more complicated?
– You always try to find a balance. If you qualify on a good place, half the job is done. You can manage the situation. Even if you do not have a good race rhythm, you can still hold the cars in the back. I think they will put a small emphasis on qualifications, but they will seek to have a balanced car in total.
– We have different temperatures these days. Does this confuse the way teams are preparing for the race?
– Yes, it makes things more complicated. Even now there are some chance of raining Sunday, which makes the race more difficult to predict. But it's just as complicated for everyone.
– Is it hard to get ready for this circuit?
– No, it's common. At least one day on the simulator, you look at the data, the records. It's a standard training.
– A tip for beginner pilots before this race?
– They have competed here in Formula 2 and Formula 3, but sure now it is different. A tip? Be hydrated. It's very hot during the race. And it's intense race. From a physical point of view, it's a complicated race. And, as I said, the qualifications matters a lot. So be very focused on qualifications.
