While Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton endured a fractious relationship as teammates, especially between the 2014 and 2016 Formula 1 seasons, Valtteri Bottas has largely been commended for the role he plays in the Mercedes team, playing wingman to the British world champion. However, there are those who believe that the Finn might benefit from using tactics from the Rosberg playbook, something the German was able to use in great effect to secure the F1 world title in 2016, in order to bridge the growing performance divide between the teammates though Bottas believes otherwise. Speaking to Autosport the Finn discusses how this strategy might backfire on him. "I think that the strength we have in the team is definitely that we can work as a team," Bottas said. "We can for sure race hard, but we can also leave it there. And we know the fact that if we can work together, that's how the team is going to benefit in the end." "Of course, along the way, there's been many people suggest I change to be a Nico Rosberg. But I'm not a Nico Rosberg. I much prefer to do the talking on track and race fair. "I have also been able to get to know Lewis, and I know that there's no benefit of trying to play with his mind. "I'm sure it would be annoying for him, but it would be wasting my energy. And I think he will be getting even more pissed off and drive faster. So I think the way I'm doing things, that's how I want to win. That is my aim," the Finn concludes. While Bottas will no doubt want to bridge the deficit to Hamilton, he will also need to bring his A-game for the 2021 Formula 1 season, especially after George Russell's performance at the Sakhir Grand Prix. The current Mercedes F1 incumbent realizes that he is running out of time and chances to prove his worth at Mercedes.
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