Valtteri Bottas Hopes Malaysia Will Continue Hosting F1 Races

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- Mercedes AMG Petronas driver, Valtteri Bottas hopes Malaysia will continue to host Formula One races at the Sepang International Circuit since the venue is like home for the team. Bottas (picture) said the team got a lot of support from Malaysian fans and it helped them win the title and that Malaysia was a phenomenal country. Last year, Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz was reported as saying that the country would stop hosting the F1 race after its contract ends in 2018, due to poor financial returns. "I hope not (to stop the F1 in Malaysia), I like this track, I like to visit here. I love the weather and track is very challenging. Obviously this track (SIC) is like the home ground for our team," he told reporters his appointment by Petronas as the Global Brand Ambassador at the Conference Hall Tower 1, Petronas Twin Towers, here Tuesday. The appointment came following Bottas' move to join Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport to replace Nico Rosberg who retired from Formula One at the end of last season. In his capacity as brand ambassador, Bottas would be the new face in Petronas' range of products and will participate in a number of Petronas global marketing, communication and promotional programmes and activities alongside teammate Lewis Hamilton. "It's a great feeling to arrive in Kuala Lumpur as a Petronas-backed driver for the first time. I'm so proud to become a global brand ambassador for Petronas this season and I'm looking forward to working together to make all Malaysians proud. "This was my first chance to visit the Twin Towers and the Research Centre. I've already learnt a lot about Petronas and the work that goes into creating the specialised fuel, oil and lubricants that have powered the Silver Arrows to such great success. My focus now is on continuing that success as we move forward together into a new era of Formula One," he said. Petronas and Mercedes-Benz entered into an agreement in 2010 that has evolved into a full technical partnership where Petronas is responsible for the design, development and delivery of customised lubricants, fuel and transmission fluids to power the Silver Arrows. Petronas' Fluid Technology Solution has led the team to win 53 of 61 races in the past three seasons, marking the most dominant campaign ever recorded in the sport. Commenting on his relationship with Hamilton, Bottas said they had a very positive start in their first race at Melbourne, Australia recently and believed that he and his teammate can collaborate with professionals to ensure the success of the team this season. "It was a very positive start for both of us, I think we will be able to work well as a team and push the team to work together, we haven't raced very hard on the track but that time will come and I'm sure it will be professional," he added. The Finn finished third behind Hamilton and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel who won the Australia GP last weekend. He is expecting a tough race during the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, scheduled this weekend. "The next race it's gonna be very difficult, the track is completely different, I need much more high speed at the corners, we are still in a close fight with Ferrari but I think as a team we can do better than Melbourne," he said. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA