It is not often among the notoriously self-serving in Formula One that widespread admiration for a rival and the likelihood of his being world championship quality is an automatic conclusion.
But the genuine appreciation in the case of Valtteri Bottas, the fast-rising Williams’ driver, is as generous as can be given and a grand prix rarity.
Bottas, just 25 and in only his third year in the top flight, has put enough scares into his grid mates, including twice champion Lewis Hamilton, to ensure they keep a wary eye on him when 321km/h melees are at their toughest and the coolest of outlooks is a vital component of a driver’s talent.
The cold-eyed intensity of Bottas at work behind the wheel is a distant remove from the thoroughly pleasant, modest and well-mannered smiling character he is out of his driver’s overalls.
Finland’s most recent racers before him, world champions Mika Hakkinen, gentle and well-balanced, and Kimi Raikkonen, gloomily laconic, are complete opposites in attitude but shared a driving skill that rendered them world-beaters.
Bottas, who has none of Raikkonen’s unenviable’s traits and, blessedly, all of his mentor Hakkinen’s, allied to a strong work ethic, defers eagerly to his hero’s guidance.
In only his second year in F1, driving a car numbered 77, he clocked six podiums and worried the front runners with his dash and spirit so deeply they regarded him as their problem in the making.
Hakkinen — champion in 1998 and 1999 — is among the legions who reckon his gifted countryman, his protege, is destined to follow him to the pinnacle of the sport.
“Did he say that?” asks Bottas. “That’s nice to hear because he is such a great support. We speak often and he is always interested to hear from me on how it is going.
“He always wants to know from the technical side about the development of the car and new parts and how I can make best use of them.
“And if I make a mistake or if I have a poor start, he is always very cleverly asking me those questions about what went wrong and making me consider about what happened to make me concentrate even more on my job, my style.”
The praise, backing and recognition does not stop at Hakkinen’s viewpoint, it is carried forward by Williams’ chief technical officer Pat Symonds, who says: “Last season, we gave him a car to showcase his talent and he raised his game significantly.
“His confidence grew and he ended the year very strongly. Over the winter he increased his level of professionalism, took on a new trainer to improve on his already excellent stamina and placed himself mentally in the top bracket.
“Now he believes he is a guy who can challenge for wins and titles and that is an important mental state to be in. The clues for him to be a world champion are all there.”
The impressively down-to-earth Bottas, bordering on being embarrassed by the heaps of praise, responds: “I am trying all the time to learn more because, at my age, 25, you are still getting better. Speed is not automatically guaranteed and you need to work on it.
“And every time you are out on the track you learn something new, something from your mistakes, and become even better behind the wheel. I am ready to put in whatever effort and sacrifice may be necessary to be world champion.”
What does he rate as the best piece of advice Hakkinen has given him? “Trust your talent,” was the fabulous Finn’s echoed mantra.
That’s OK then. It’s only a matter of time before it pays off for Bottas. Big time.
— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert