Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas won the seasoning-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, calling it “greatest” race of his career. He dominated the race to win it 20 seconds ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton. He also claimed a bonus point for the fastest lap.
Bottas, who had a forgetful season in 2018, said that something changed in terms of the way he felt things during the off-season, and that he “felt good in the car” during the race.
The Finn went into the off-season uncertain about his future with Mercedes, and instead gave rallying a go during the break. He returned to F1 much more confident than when he left after last season.
In the qualifying round, Bottas finished behind Lewis Hamilton, who took the pole position. But Bottas had no plans of staying behind his teammate and went on to register a dominant win after pipping world champion Hamilton from pole.
Bottas said he came to Melbourne with every intention of making a comeback and a different mindset. He was almost written off after last season, but the Finn has announced his arrival with a bang.
