Exclusive: Bottas backs Wolff to keep 'banging those tables' in Mercedes resurgence

Valtteri Bottas has backed Mercedes to return to winning ways in Formula 1 and joked Team Principal Toto Wolff will "keep banging those tables" until another victory comes the team's way.

The Finnish driver spent five years with the German manufacturer, helping the squad to secure Constructors' titles in each of those seasons.

But since Bottas made the switch to Alfa Romeo last season, Mercedes has struggled to come to terms with F1's newest technical regulations, conceding ground to Red Bull.

The Silver Arrows only returned to second in the Constructors' standings by taking a double podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, with only one race win coming since the beginning of last term – through Bottas' replacement, George Russell.

But Bottas has thrown his support behind a Mercedes resurgence and, explaining why he has faith that the Brackley-based outfit will return to the top, he told RacingNews365.com in an exclusive interview: "I just think the infrastructure they have and the key people they have, they are capable of doing that with the facilities.

"Knowing Toto, he will keep banging those tables until they win again. He is super competitive – one of the most competitive people I have ever met. He hates losing so much.

"That's just my feeling, they will get at least closer to the top than they are now."

Wolff has big ups and downs

Alfa Romeo appointed Alessandro Alunni Bravi as Team Representative after Frederic Vasseur made the move to Ferrari, adding to the list of names that have presided over Bottas' F1 tenure.

Comparing Sir Frank Williams, Wolff and Alunni Bravi, Bottas explained: "Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, just different characters.

"Toto is probably the most emotional. He has big ups and downs depending on the results, but they all have their own strengths.

"It's a new role for Alessandro, but so far, I think he has done good. Time will show.

"Frank was great. When I joined [the Williams team] he was [becoming] less and less involved but obviously a big, big legend. He was the one who gave me the chance so I am forever thankful."