Valtteri Bottas has highlighted the notable difference at Mercedes since 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton’s exit, describing the F1 team as “a bit more chilled”.

Hamilton shocked thಌe sporting world by calling t𝕴ime on his Mercedes career.

The seven-time world champion decided to join Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season, which is likely his finaꦉl career move before retiring.

Hamilton spent 12 years at Mercedes, winning six ofꦓ his seven titles with th༺em.

Duriꦓng this time, Bottas was Hamilton’s teammate 𝔉for five seasons.

The Hamilton-Bottas combination remained unbeaten in the F1 construct🍒ors’ standings between 2017 and 2021 despite threats from Ferrari and Red Bull at various points.

Mercedes opted to promote 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Kimi Antonelli from their academy as Hamilton’s replacement, while 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell has stepped up as team leader.

Bottas, who returned to Mercedওes as their test and reserve driver after failing to land the Sauber drive for this year, identified what has stayed the same and what has changed since coming 𓄧back.

“Yes anꦚd no. In the end, the spirit is still the same,” he said on the Beyon🐠d the Grid podcast.

“The winning mentality is still there; everyone is still wo🔯rking as hard as they can, trying to solve issues and get better. That hasn’t changed at all.

“Otherwise, losing a big figure such as Lewis✤, I think, has made some kind of difference. It’s hard to describe the feeling, but I think there has been some excitement over young Kimi and George being the more senior driver. Maybe it’s a bit more chilled in a way.”

Will Bottas make a return in 2026?

Bottas remains hopeful that he can♛ re෴turn to the F1 grid in 2026.

Sauber overlooked the Finn as they signed Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bor🅺toleto.

Bottas’ main option appears to be Cadillac, while Alpine and Red Bull will also likely need to sign a s𝔉econd driver.

Cadillac are joining the grid in 2026 as F1’s 11th team, but they haven’t decided their driver l⛎ine-up yet.

They have🅷 a host of🐈 options, such as Bottas, Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu.

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Mick Schumacher has also been linked, 𝕴while they could turn to an American driver such as Colto🧸n Herta.