Bottas confident of winning in Russia next weekend

Valtteri Bottas won his first ever Formula 1 race 12 months ago in Russia. The Mercedes driver is confident he can replicate the performance this time around to grab his first P1 of 2018. The Finn also hinted that if Hamilton goes on to wrap the title up early, things could change in terms of driver order.

Bottas arguably would have won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix early in the season had it not been for a late puncture. Without mechanical gremlins in Austria, who knows what would have happened. Bottas, 29, has now put these resulted behind him as he heads to his favourite track.

"I can't wait for Sochi - it's a track I've always enjoyed, and of course I hope we can continue this trend again this year," Bottas told Motorsport.

"I do not expect a walk in the park, 12 months ago I had to drive a lot with Seb's Ferrari in the exhausts, but in the end, it went well. I want to go to Sochi to try to win, and that is what I will do."

His team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, has now opened up a championship lead of 40-points. If the Brit beats title rival Sebastian Vettel in Sochi, then Hamilton no longer needs to win a race to be crowned champion. Bottas was asked if it'll be easier for him to return to victory should Hamilton wrap up the title early.

"The team obviously wants and hopes that good results will come from both drivers, but of course it is very important to secure the title. If the goal is reached soon, then it could be a little different afterwards," hinted Bottas.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal called Bottas a "great wingman" after Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix. Perhaps there's still some hidden unrest inside the Mercedes garage.