Valtteri Bottas says he won't allow himself to be classed as 'number two' to Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton next year, insisting he would "rather stay at home" than play second fiddle.
The Finnish driver joined Mercedes this year as outgoing champion Nico Rosberg's replacement. Despite a strong start to the season which saw Bottas claim his maiden pole position in just his third race and victory in the following race, he struggled to match Hamilton in the second half of the season.
Hamilton pulled ahead in the standings and Bottas fell out of contention for the championship. Bottas however believes in his ability and says he will put the lessons he's learned into practice next season to truly challenge the four-time champion.
"In a few occasions, not as many as I would have wanted, I managed to be ahead of him [Hamilton]," Bottas told Sky Sports.
"Even though he is a really, really good driver and very consistent, I also need to believe in myself," he added. "I can't put myself in a place of number two otherwise I would rather stay at home."
Bottas says he will learn from the hard times and be in a better position in 2018.
"This year I have learnt massively and I want to use it as kind of a learning year for me with the team.
"Starting next year with the people I know it's going to be quite different and I just need to go for it and learn from all the hard times this year."
