Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas has admitted that he would also like to see data sharing disappear from Formula 1. This comes after comments made by team-mate Lewis Hamilton in recent weeks regarding the issue.
Twitter: I wish to clarify, I have not hit out at my team at all. My point on data sharing is solely my feelings about the sport in general (@LewisHamilton)
Twitter: It has been my feeling since the day I started F1 and still is 10 years later. There is zero problems in my team, zero problems with Bottas (@LewisHamilton)
The type of data part of the debate is in regards to such areas as braking points, traction zones and turn in points around the circuit. This can be found in the telemetry sent from the car to the garages.
With data being so crucial to every aspect of modern F1, the smallest mention of it being taken away immediately becomes a hot topic.
During the Mercedes team launch at Silverstone on Thursday, when asked by Read Motorsport on the subject, Bottas said: “If it would be [banned], I wouldn’t mind personally.
“If I were only thinking of myself, but for the team it would be better.”
Though admitting his preference to seeing data sharing ceased, he doesn’t believe Mercedes will stop with the practice as it will ultimately benefit them over the course of the season.
“It doesn’t matter what I would say for this, because the team is going to decide what we are going to do,” Bottas added.
“That is mostly likely to share the data because it is best for the team.
“I’m sure that every single day on track, there will be occasions both drivers can find something interesting out from the data of a team-mate.
“So that is the reason and that will push the team forward, so that’s why I don’t think it will be banned.”
Having already completed a 100km filming day at Silverstone during the launch, Mercedes will be next running the car at the first pre-season test on February 27 – March 2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
