Valtteri Bottas has given advice to Gabriel Bortoleto, with the Brazilian rookie being his successor at Sauber.
For the Finnish driver, without a seat for the coming season, it is important to “don’t be too hard on yourself”.
Bortoleto, reigning Formula 2 champion, will have Nico Hulkenberg as his teammate, an excellent reference according to Bottas.
“My advice to any new driver is always not to be too hard on yourself and to give yourself time,” confides Bottas, who will spend the 2025 season as a Mercedes F1 reserve.
“It takes a lot of learning in this sport, but today's drivers are so well prepared that they have a lot of support.”
“So I think he will do well, but I expect a difficult season. The regulations won't change for the coming year, all the cars that the teams have currently won't change massively.
“So I don't think it will be an easy season, for any rookie, because the Sauber was difficult to drive, but I think with Nico by his side he can learn. Nico has a lot of experience, but yes, I expect a difficult season.”
-Bottas also named a Finnish talent who he believes will be the next driver from his country to reach F1: young Ferrari Driver Academy driver Tuukka Taponen.
“It's been a good year for the Finns. I hope someone other than me joins F1 soon.”
“The closest one currently is Tuukka in F4 – he will be in F3 next year [avec ART Grand Prix].”
“It's going to be a really key season for him to prove what he can do. But he's on a good run.”
