Mercedes must “let the clock run” and keep Valtteri Bottas

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Mika Hakkinen believes Mercedes should apply an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to its driver lineup.

The two-time world champion has always been a huge supporter of Valtteri Bottas and it’s no surprise that he talks about his fellow Finns’ credentials to stay with the constructors’ titles.

Bottas’ problem, of course, is that even without the specter of a fast-growing George Russell coming towards the end of his three-year ‘loan’ from Mercedes to Williams and ready to step up, his current teammate Lewis Hamilton has been having a disappointing season.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is well aware that there is an imminent decision to be made between the ‘stability’ offered by Bottas, who is in his fifth year with the team, and Russell’s remarkable ‘talent’.

Hakkinen believes the fact that Mercedes continues to win the all-constructors’ championship with Hamilton and Bottas as a partnership is enough to leave things as they are, despite two big factors – that Red Bull have a high chance of ousting them this year, and secondly that new regulations for 2022 could put an end to their dominance.

“I don’t know if he will be replaced by someone,” Hakkinen said during an interview with RTL.

“But if you study the facts and look at the results over the years that Valtteri has been at Mercedes with Lewis, what the team has achieved with these two drivers… you can’t beat that. It’s unbelievable. It’s fantastic.

“If you look at the results of marketing and you look at what you’ve really achieved, it’s that old saying in the world that if you have a clock that works, don’t open it, don’t try to fix it, let it run, you know? “.

It’s racing week 🏁 #VB77 #F1 #BelgianGP @MercedesAMGF1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/MaSYYdmR79

– Valtteri Bottas (@alValtteriBottas) August 23, 2021

See the latest Valtteri Bottas merchandise on the official Formula 1 Store

The former McLaren driver says there is no substitute for Bottas’ experience and also, given his impressive one-lap pace, the developmental input he gives the team.

“Valtteri has ups and downs but for victory in the end you need two drivers in a team who score consistently, push each other on laps,” Hakkinen said.

“This way the development of the car, every Grand Prix, remains absolutely on top. If one driver is half a second slower than the other, it is clear that the development of the car is not optimal. It only leans on the shoulders of one driver the whole time.”

“When you put a driver against the seven-time world champion, it’s not easy. It’s not just ‘I’m a fast and talented driver.'”

“The experience that this kind of player has, is unbelievable. You don’t learn it from the internet, you don’t read it from books. It comes from learning, studying and being next to these kind of people to become the world champion.

“That’s why what I see at the moment with Valtteri, he’s a brilliant driver, a very great driver. They’ve been criticized a lot, but internally in the team I’m sure they’re saying ‘Valtteri, you’re a great racing driver’.”

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