Valtteri Bottas says he "definitely not happy" with the current gap to Mercedes Formula 1 teammate Lewis Hamilton, wanting more than the two wins and two pole positions he has achieved this🌠 year.

Bottas is currently third in the standings,🍰 72 points behind Hamilton but onl🌼y 13 behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Although the Finn had a strong start to the season, he has lagged behind his teammate in several races since the summer break - including in qualifying - and was at points unable to explain his lack of performance.

Asked if he was happy with his performance, having alrea🉐dy outscored his total from last year by 149 points, he said: "No, I want more! I’m definitely not happy with only two wins so far and with the gap in points between us. 

"Now [Hamilton] is sure𝓰ly looking strong in the title fight, that’s a fact and, for sure, at this point I would still like to be in that fight. After the August break things became more tricky and now it looks like I will be fighting for second place in the championship. 

"I think that’s a more realistic goal at thi🐻s point, unfortunately, but for sure I set my targets high for the season."

Bottas has been re-signed by Mercedes for the next season after team bosses praised his performance thi♈s year, locking him in with the German marque until the end of 2018. Despite his recent struggle,s the Finn said he still hopes to match Hamilton next season.

"Of course I believe in myself and I b🧸elieve that learning from all the defeats, learning from all the races I’ve been off the pace compared with him," Bottas said.

"By working hard 🌜and taking every ꦛpoint I can take to improve, I believe it is possible.

"I 🧸believe in my ability, in myself and the future is sღtill ahead for me."