Valtteri Bottas: Oscar still has every chance

      In the break between the rounds in São Paulo and Las Vegas, Valtteri Bottas, who is serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver until the end of the season, paid a visit to Australia.

      We reported that the Finn and his Australian girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell bought a house in the south of the country, but it’s worth emphasising that the estate’s six hectares are not only occupied by vineyards — it also has its own winery where they produce the fine wines for which the McLaren Vale is so famous.

      Since Bottas and Cromwell were also promoting their cycling project — a gravel race in the Adelaide area that has become a tradition — they met with the local press. Naturally, the conversation turned to Formula 1, and Valtteri said he believes in Oscar Piastri, who is quite capable of winning the title.

      “He still has every chance,” the Finn said. “There aren’t many rounds left, but he only needs one of his rivals to have a bad race, and then a lot will change, and Oscar will be back among the main contenders.

      “However, regardless of what happens this year, he has a great career ahead of him. Our sport requires patience, and he’s still at an early stage of his career. Right now he has to withstand intense pressure, but that’s also part of the learning process, and in the end it depends only on himself. But I believe in Oscar.

      “As for the penalty he received in São Paulo, I think the punishment was overly harsh. I’m generally not in favour of such penalties when they are handed out so easily. Personally, I think it was just a racing incident.

      “But I’ve been in similar situations, so I can put myself in Oscar’s shoes. Formula 1 is a cruel sport; I can’t call it fair, but sometimes you have to accept that.”

      In 2026 Bottas will race for Cadillac F1, the new American team, where his teammate will be Sergio Pérez.

      “This is a completely new project, and there is a lot of work to do, as is the case with any new team,” Valtteri added. “I reckon my Australian summer this year will be short, because in January I’ll have to start working with Cadillac F1. But so far everything is going according to plan.

      “I’m very impressed that the team, which only recently started from scratch, has already done so much, and in January we should receive the car.”