Valtteri Bottas’ Adventist holiday made sense for Nico Hulkenberg

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Nico Hulkenberg had seen the logic in Valtteri Bottas taking time off after leaving Mercedes.

It is now official that Bottas’ fifth season with Mercedes will be his last, after the Finn secured a multi-year contract at Alfa Romeo from 2022.

In his place at Mercedes, their stepson would be George Russell, making the transition from Williams.

It’s been a tough five years for Bottas, who is arguably the most scrutinized driver on the grid as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate.

Despite making the world championship his goal, Bottas has not been able to achieve that honor at Mercedes – and Hulkenberg says he would have been understandable had all the pressure over the years left Bottas in need of a mental reset.

“It looks like Valtteri is still hungry, still wants to drive,” Hulkenberg said on Servus TV, citing Motorsport-Total.com.

“I would have understood better if he had wanted to take a year off after these five difficult years at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton.

“You have to respect him because it is not easy to race against maybe the best in the world. He has also had to put up with a lot over the years.”

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

For Bottas, this upcoming switch to Alfa Romeo could be a complete transformation from his current position at Mercedes.

The Switzerland-based company has ambitions to raise the rankings under the new 2022 regulations, which have bypassed any development of the 2021 car to put full focus next season.

It was made clear that Bottas would be the lead driver at Alfa Romeo, but Hulkenberg said the Finn now faces the task of adapting once again to the fierce midfield battle.

“It’s definitely a change. It won’t be the best car anymore, in fact he will have to adapt again in midfield. There are different laws,” Hulkenberg said.

It could also be that Hulkenberg joins Bottas on the 2022 grid, possibly even at Alfa Romeo, with rumors he’s on the team’s radar, as well as Williams.

The Planet F1 verdict:

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