Bottas out to make the most of dream chance at Mercedes

REUTERS: Valtteri Bottas is determined to make the most of his “dream” opportunity after being ushered into the Mercedes seat left vacant by the sudden retirement of Formula One champion Nico Rosberg at the end of last season.

The Finn has proved his pace over 77 races with Williams but knows he will be stepping up into the big leagues when he starts his first race for the reigning constructors’ champions at this week’s Australian Grand Prix.

“It’s a great challenge for everyone, but I think especially for me,” Bottas told reporters in Melbourne.

“This team has been winning the last three years and it’s kind of a dream come true for me to be in a team like this. So, it’s a big year ahead.”

Expectations are indeed high at Mercedes, and if Bottas fails to at least support the team’s charge for a fourth successive constructors’ title with regular podiums and points there will be no shortage of drivers waiting to replace him for 2018.

Although he finished fourth in the drivers’ championship in 2014 and has accumulated nine podiums and 411 points over his career, Bottas has never won a race.