Confirmed: Bottas to replace Senna

Very happy to see a new driver coming into F1.

I hope he will fulfill some rather big expectations that some posters here have for him.

Is it only me or he looks a bit chubby or overweight?

He is doing triathlons so I think he is one of those fittest guys in the paddock...

Very happy to see a new driver coming into F1.

I hope he will fulfill some rather big expectations that some posters here have for him.

Is it only me or he looks a bit chubby or overweight?

yup, when I read about the runthattrack on hungaroring from a hungarian journo, he wrote that Bottas won the round with 15:30, that equals 17 kph average speed, not bad at all ;)

He is doing triathlons so I think he is one of those fittest guys in the paddock...

Why wouldn't there be expectations?

After all, Williams has been singing about how fast he is. For their sake, I hope they are right on this.

Thank you for that info.



Who said there shouldn't be expectations?
As you said, Williams talk him up, few here hope for him to be a new Kimi. I just genuinely hope he will meet these expectations. We need more great drivers.

Edited by rubbersoul, 28 November 2012 - 16:02.

I like Senna, i think he has decent potential but a combination of the Pirelli's style and shortage of FP1's have resulted in him under performing a bit IMHO, hopefully he gets a ride next season.

However, its as clear day that BOTTAS as much, much more potential and, if the things being said about BOTTAS are to be believed, he good be a "real deal" type of driver, i'm glad a young driver with not much money has been given a chance based almost entirely on his talent.

Also, Williams get a big from me. They, unlike one top team who clearly settled for a driver because of the "commercial opportunities" he presents , went for talent.

Also, Williams get a big from me. They, unlike one top team who clearly settled for a driver because of the "commercial opportunities" he presents , went for talent.

Though there's a bit of an issue when one of the senior management gets a % of his earnings.

Edited by darkkis, 28 November 2012 - 19:07.

BK: Really? Bottas bringing £10m in sponsorship? Joe Saward and Edd Straw (warning, Autosport paywall) both suggest in their reports that Bottas is bringing little money with him.

"I think we are all aware that operations have to be financed: finance plays an important role. In that case for us important to have best possible package," Wolff explained.

"Valtteri has partners committed to follow him into F1. We have an omnipresent commercial reality, [so] I'm happy to say [Valtteri] did a great job on and off the track. He was quite successful in Finland securing backing."

I think he is still bringing somewhere around 10 million if the 3/4 the amount Bruno brought claim is accurate. So it's not as if he comes with not much money.

But regardless, what he brings is enough, and hopefully his talent can convince sponsors that backing Williams F1 is a worthy endeavor.

Bottas doesn't bring £10m, but he is likely to bring around $10m.

This says Bottas managed to get a sponsorship package which equals to about 3/4 of what Bruno Senna brings. Bruno is believed to bring around $12-15 million per year.

Finland has 5 million people vs Brazil's 193 million. There is no way Bottas could manage 10 m. Senna also has his famous name...

Well, Venezuela is neither the biggest nor the richest country around there, but Maldonado is the one who has much larger backing than any racing driver nowadays.

Finland has a small population but it's much richer than Brazil.

It's about finding people or companies who want to invest in you. I think Bottas had to gather around $10 m because there would be nothing to talk about otherwise. Toto clearly suggested Bottas did well in finding sponsorship backing. I'm sure he wouldn't say that if what Bottas managed to gather is not a large part of what Bruno brings.

Well, Venezuela is neither the biggest nor the richest country around there, but Maldonado is the one who has much larger backing than any racing driver nowadays.

Finland has a small population but it's much richer than Brazil.

It's about finding people or companies who want to invest in you. I think Bottas had to gather around $10 m because there would be nothing to talk about otherwise. Toto clearly suggested Bottas did well in finding sponsorship backing. I'm sure he wouldn't say that if what Bottas managed to gather is not a large part of what Bruno brings.

You know what my problem with Bottas is? There's been an influx of idiots allowed onto the grid who have not enough experience to properly drive in Formula 1. Grosjean and Maldonado were the two worst offenders of the 2012 season. Remember, everyone says both of them are fast...sort of like Bottas. I don't feel like seeing another young driver who has spatial awareness problems.

Edited by Andrew Hope, 28 November 2012 - 21:19.

Saying Grosjean and Maldonado didn't have enough experience makes me think you don't follow any racing outside of F1.

There is no way Bottas could manage 10 m.

Maldonado is backed by socialist governments oil company. $35m basically taken from the people of venezuela

Uh, do you know how private oil companies work? They certainly don't reimburse that money to the citizens...

Uh, do you know how private oil companies work? They certainly don't reimburse that money to the citizens...

Edited by Sammyosammy, 28 November 2012 - 21:58.

Just about report some posts. Isn't there some politics thread to continue in...?

Edited by BRG, 28 November 2012 - 22:35.

So Bottas is just yet another pay driver buying a seat in F1? And he doesn't even have the merit of being a GP2 champion. I trust he will be treated with the same level of disdain as other pay-drivers.

? How did you come to that conclusion?

Edited by skinnylizard, 29 November 2012 - 08:22.

i feel bad for Senna, his last name is a double edged sword to begin with.

I think it's a sad day when Williams F1 takes a guy based on him bringing money with sponsors. Runs in stark contrast with the way Frank used to run the team.

Edited by skinnylizard, 29 November 2012 - 08:26.

So Bottas is just yet another pay driver buying a seat in F1? And he doesn't even have the merit of being a GP2 champion. I trust he will be treated with the same level of disdain as other pay-drivers.

Think he himself is the one who chose to use the name?