New Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas described his time driving for Mercedes as akin to having a knife held at his throat. That sounds rather graphic, we would have advised Bottas to use the Sword of Damocles example instead. The Sword of Damocles is derived from an ancient Greek fable. It is about the ever-present threat of danger for those in power or those seeking power. It is about the illusion of status and rank. For those who are seeking power, a metaphorical sword is always dangling above them.

This is how Valtteri Bottas felt during his time driving alongside Lewis Hamilton. However, despite playing a key role in helping Mercedes win titles in each of the 5 seasons he drove for the team, Bottas faced the annual prospect of being replaced. The problem for Bottas was the 1-year rolling contract. His future could be decided upon the narrowest of margins.

That is not a great place to be for any driver. Although Bottas didn’t show his emotions, he recently revealed that being under the threat of losing your job at the end of every season was like being “eaten from the inside”. But he lasted 5 years, which is a good run, the show will not last forever. It will be the same for Russell as it was for Bottas and as it eventually will be for Hamilton.

During a recent media interview, Bottas revealed:

“When you feel like you have a knife at your throat, your head doesn’t do very well. I remember Lewis and Nico arguing very hard with each other and it even got a bit political. But now I can identify with him. I can say from experience that it is not easy”.

Bottas also revealed that he did not turn to porridge as a means to improve his on-track performance. Indeed it was a much more sobering revelation.

Valtteri Bottas:

“The sauna is a sacred place for me. Weird things happen, and yes, sometimes alcohol is used. Not so much to get rid of the pressure, but to clear the head and relax for the next race weekend.

“Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.”