Valtteri Bottas enjoyed a successful rallying debut

Joas van Wingerden Sunday 27 January 2019 10:48

Valtteri Bottas enjoyed a successful rallying debut

Valtteri Bottas finished fifth overall, having taken a stage win, as he enjoyed a successful rallying debut at the Arctic Lapland Rally. The Mercedes Formula 1 driver took to the wheel of a WRC-standard Ford Focus, alongside two-tie WRC championship winning co-driver Timo Rautiainen.

Bottas victory came on the eighth stage, helping him recover from a slow start in the frozen conditions.

Article continues under video

The Finn will hope the stage win augurs well ahead of the 2019 F1 season as he looks to bounce back from a 2018 campaign which featured no race wins, despite Mercedes wrapping up a fifth straight constructors' title and Lewis Hamilton taking the drivers' crown with 11 victories under his belt.

We finished my first ever rally 5th overall with a stage win today ??????
Tricky & enjoyable stages, so much fun @arcticlaplandrally ????????
Thanks to all the partners, @MSportLtd , @RautiainenTimo and everyone involved ????????#VB77 @Konecranes @WestproCCOy @AKKMotorsport @pirellisport pic.twitter.com/eIC00hDkBI — Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) January 26, 2019

Bottas is quoted by MTV: "It was a very good overall experience.

"Our goal was to get to the finish and we did it. We learned a lot of lessons and the pace grew all the time.

"Everything went as planned. We were able to avoid the biggest mistakes, although there were a few situations."

Bottas wasn't the only name familiar to F1 fans in action, with former Ferrari driver Mika Salo also taking part and finishing 11th overall.

MORE: Russell's experiences with Hamilton 'extremely valuable'
MORE: Raikkonen's manager reveals new detail about Sauber move

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Lewis Hamilton disqualification prompts George Russell question as Max Verstappen Red Bull update issued - F1 Recap

28 minutes ago

Ferrari

Former Ferrari chief regrets seeing Mercedes sign Antonelli

1 hour ago

Latest F1 News

Helmut Marko names two F1 races in Max Verstappen baby update as Red Bull absence fears addressed

2 hours ago

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari lacking 'soul' in plea for team overhaul

3 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Red Bull chief shares concerning Max Verstappen exit update

Yesterday 19:57

Bahrain Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton disqualification proves Mercedes got lucky at Bahrain Grand Prix

Yesterday 18:57

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 14 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 11 Apr

Oscar Piastri

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 18 Apr

GP USA 2 - 2 May

GP ITALY 16 - 16 May

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

GP SPAIN 30 - 30 May

GP CANADA 13 - 13 Jun

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY