Mercedes’ social media admin has potentially responded to comments made by former Silver Arrows driver Valtteri Bottas, with the Finnish driver having revealed that his mullet would’ve been banned at the Brackley-based team.
Comments from the Alfa Romeo driver began to circulate last weekend, where he revealed that he was a “bit more restricted” in regard to being his true-self as a result of Mercedes stricter “company policies”.
The 33-year-old revealed that he feels capable of being “who I am” at Alfa Romeo, something he didn’t feel at Mercedes.
“Now I feel like I can truly be who I am, for sure there’s a bit of a difference,” he told media, including RacingNews365.com.
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“I think company policies might be a bit different in different workplaces let’s say.
“Some things might be a bit more restricted, but I think it’s time and getting older as well, all the skills and learning F1 has given me, you eventually just learn sometimes not to take things too seriously, especially yourself.
“I imagine I would not have been allowed [to grow the mullet at Mercedes], so that’s one example.”
Bottas drove for Mercedes from 2017-2021, after replacing 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, who retired moments after winning his title.
The Finn was then replaced by George Russell for the 2022 season, with Bottas having opted for a switch into the midfield at the Hinwil-based team.
Since moving to Alfa Romeo, Bottas has appeared significantly happier, with the pressure of driving for a leading team having been lifted from his shoulders.
He’s certainly come out of the shadows since moving to Alfa Romeo, with him having become increasingly popular due to his hilarious social media posts.
Bottas has developed a tendency to reveal a bit too much of his body on social media, something his fans can’t get enough of.
He is ultimately showing who he really is, something which is to no surprise resulting in strong performances on-track.
He successfully scored points at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after finishing eighth, despite the midfield being more competitive than ever before.
Interestingly, Mercedes posted a photo of Lewis Hamilton on Twitter not too long after Bottas’ comments about the Germans were released, making some believe that it was in response to his revelation about the side.
“Looking forward to 2023’s drippy fits,” wrote Mercedes on Twitter, along with a photo of Hamilton.