Bottas was updated but not involved in Alfa Romeo F1 teammate call

Bottas’ new F1 teammate for next year was finally announced earlier this week on Tuesday, with Zhou replacing Antonio Giovinazzi.

The 22-year-old will become China’s first-ever F1 driver when he makes the move up from F2 next year.

Zhou currently sits second in the drivers’ championship with two rounds of F2 to go, 36 points behind newly-appointed Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri, who was also rumoured to be in the frame.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, Bottas said that he’s keen to help and support Zhou during his rookie F1 campaign.

“Obviously, welcoming him to Alfa with me next year,” Bottas said. “Looking forward to working with him. I don't know him yet as as a person that well, so not sure I've ever like properly met him. 

“But I've obviously seen him around with the F2. He's been there for some years and yes, this year in particular, did some good races and good results and good consistency. So, I think second in the championship, some wins and you know so he obviously knows how to drive, and he is quite young, but had, you know, good few years in single-seaters. So, potential for sure is there. 

“But you know, any Formula 1 team when you join you have so many smart people to guide you, help you. Obviously me as a teammate, I'm trying to help him as well because we need to work as a team, and would need to be that the team that will hopefully bring lots of points and good results and the right direction. So, looking forward to it.”

Bottas confirmed that he had no input on the identity of his new teammate, but was kept in the loop of who it would be.

“I got some updates like what's going on, what's most likely going to happen,” Bottas added. "And before it was announced I got the information. I left it to Fred [Vasseur, Alfa Romeo team principal] completely, I trust him what is best for the team and that's how it ended up.”