Bottas feels ready to challenge Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas believes he will be able to beat teammate Lewis Hamilton to the drivers' championship in his first year as a Mercedes driver.

The Finn only joined Mercedes at the end of January following protracted talks between his former team Williams and the reigning constructors' champions. Brought in as a replacement for Nico Rosberg, Bottas says he takes confidence from his predecessor proving he can get the better of Hamilton in the same car.

"Nico showed beating Lewis is possible," Bottas told Sky Sports. "I am not here to be in second place or worse. It is definitely a challenge, and going up against Lewis is always going to be a challenge, but for me a massive opportunity.

"I really respect what [Hamilton] has done with his career, so many poles and wins and three titles. I still don't have a race win so I have a lot to prove. I haven't yet proved pretty much anything in Formula 1, everything is still ahead."

Rosberg himself revealed at the Laureus World Sports Awards this week – where he won Breakthrough of the Year – that he will talk to Bottas but does not plan on giving his replacement any tips on how to get the better of his new teammate.

"I would tell him don't expect an easy ride, that's for sure!" Rosberg said. "It's going to be challenging. Coming into a new team with Lewis having been there for so many years, new regulations and everything, and Lewis is one of the best out there so the level is extremely high. But at the same time Valtteri is very talented, so for sure he can achieve great things as well, as long as the team give him a good car.

"He's asked me if we can have a chat soon and I'm happy to do that of course, but I will stay very, very neutral. I won't give away any Lewis secrets, for example I'll just help in a way to integrate better into the team."

Bottas is due to drive the 2017 Mercedes for the first time during some filming at Silverstone following the launch of the new car on Feb. 23.