Recently, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas visited The Silver Arrows’ offices at Brixworth for the last time. The Finn had announced earlier this season that he will be moving to Alfa Romeo in 2022.

The story of Bottas at Mercedes has mostly been a story of unfulfilled potential on both ends. Neither could the driver fully tap into the potential of his car nor could the team ever find the best way to tap into his talent.

One thing which Valtteri Bottas supremely did, albeit sometimes unintentionally or against his will, was to be a great supporting driver for teammate Lewis Hamilton.

In his five years with the Silver Arrows, Bottas assisted Hamilton on several occasions, either for a race win or as an instrument in the Briton’s championship conquests.

And now that he was leaving, he wanted to give his teammate Hamilton one last gift, his racing helmet.

In a picture from Bottas’ last day at Mercedes, he can be seen gifting Lewis Hamilton one of his helmets. It’s a shame that we can’t figure out the message or the specifics on the gifted helmet, but this is a pretty special gift from the Finn.

The best teammate I’ve ever had – Hamilton about Valtteri Bottas

Earlier this season, when Bottas’ move was announced, the seven-time world champion paid him a mega compliment.

Hamilton said, “He has been the best teammate I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

“Thank you Valtteri for all of your support and amazing contributions to this team. You will be missed. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours. Let’s finish off strong and get that 8th for the team.” 

And that’s what they did. Mercedes won their eighth consecutive constructors’ title this season courtesy of their two drivers.

He will now close the door on his Mercedes career and look forward to being the primary driver in Alfa Romeo next year.

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