Valtteri Bottas has set out his expectations for what Alfa Romeo can "realistically" achieve in 2023. The Finn completed his debut campaign with the team in 2022 following his switch from Mercedes and was left pleased with their P6 in the Constructors' Championship, a result they sealed at the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix thanks to their strategy. Whilst Alfa ended the year equal on 55 points with Aston Martin, the position of sixth went to Alfa due to Bottas' fifth place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix having beaten any result for Aston in 2022. Bottas claimed 10th in the Drivers' Championship, and overall feels satisfied with what he and the team achieved during the season.
Bottas admits Alfa need 'big step' for podiums in 2023
"I have to say actually, all in all, it's not far off from what I could imagine of the first year, in a good scenario," Bottas told media, including RacingNews365.com , when asked if he had hit the targets he expected ahead of the season. "I don't think we're far off from [the] targets." Bottas also acknowledged that the team would have been less pleased had they finished seventh, rather than sixth, in the Constructors'. Looking ahead to 2023, the 10-time race winner has played down the possibility of Alfa regularly fighting for podium positions. "I think for that we need a big step," he explained. "I think, at this point, it seems difficult. "[I would] never say it's impossible but, to be consistently [finishing] every race [in the] top 10 and sometimes having a shot to fight for the podium with a bit of luck, I think that's more realistic for next year."
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