Bottas: Beating Ferrari on home soil 'extra motivation'

Valtteri Bottas says the prospect of defeating Ferrari at its home race acts as "extra motivation" to Mercedes as it targets its sixth straight Italian Grand Prix victory on Sunday.

Bottas and race-winning Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton were subject to boos from the crowd on the Monza podium last year after working together to beat Ferrari favourite Kimi Raikkonen in the closing stages of the race.

Hamilton and Bottas will start second and third respectively on Sunday at Monza after Charles Leclerc scored pole for Ferrari in qualifying.

Asked by Crash.net whether beating Ferrari on home soil gave an extra edge to any success Mercedes may enjoy at Monza, Bottas agreed that it did provide some additional motivation.

"Well last year I think as a team, we did pretty well getting both cars on the podium on a strong track for Ferrari - and for that we got the booing on the podium," Bottas said.

"For sure it motivates us to try and be strong on their home soil. It is extra motivation. In the end it’s just another race, but they obviously are very well supported here, and some tracks we have more support. That’s how it goes.

"For sure you can see the passion from the fans, and it was a bit quiet after the race last year. We are here to get the best result for us.

"I’m really hungry for a win, so we’ll try to do everything I can so I’m on top rather than any of the red cars."

Mercedes has won every Italian Grand Prix since 2014, while Ferrari's most recent home victory came in 2010 courtesy of Fernando Alonso.