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That’s according to the Finn himself, who admits he needs to improve to have a chance of securing the World Drivers’ Championship. Bottas won three races over the course of the 2017

campaign, including the final grand prix of the season at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. He ended the term 58 points behind his Mercedes team-mate in the drivers’ standings though, with

Hamilton wrapping up nine race wins and the title. Bottas has warned Hamilton that he is not a barrier to him securing F1 glory while they compete alongside one another though. "Yes,

but that depends on me because I need to increase my performance and I need to continue working and improving," Bottas explained to Spanish newspaper _AS_, when asked if he can become

F1 champion with Hamilton in the car next to him.  "There were times this year when I could have been faster, so I'm working hard and I believe in myself." Bottas also hit

back at claims Mercedes would have been better bringing in a driver such as Fernando Alonso as Hamilton’s team-mate. LEWIS HAMILTON GETS PUMPED UP IN PUMA TRAINING AD GETTY Valtteri Bottas

finished third behind Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in the drivers' standings "They have the right to have their own opinion," he added.  "There are always

opinions, especially in this sport.  "I do not care if people say that, but I do not agree." Bottas and Hamilton will be out to get their respective 2018 F1 campaigns off to the

best possible start when it kicks off in Australia next March.