Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Valtteri Bottas can take pride from his qualifying performances compared to teammate Lewis Hamilton but feels with his race craft he’s still “getting𝕴 there”.

Bottas has claimed the most pole positions so far this season with four, against Hamilton’s three, including most recently at the British Grand Prix while the overall record sees the reigning F1 world champion ahead 6-4 going into today’s qualify🌊ing at Hockenheim.

Given Hamiꦓlton’s record as F1’s all-time highest pole-sitter, Mercedes chief Wolff feels Bottas has made clear progress in qualifying but underlines further improvements are needed in his race performances.

“From♒ my point of view, the performances in qualifying are really strong. Having an almost balanced record against Lewis Hamilton is something to be proud of and shows that he has made a step-up from last year,” Wolff said.

“Racing, again, is a different exercise. I think this year’s theme is all about keeping the car and the tyres in the sweet spot. That means you maybe need to drive the car ൲in aꦰ different way.

“He’s getting there. He’s getting better and better. We have seen a race in Silve☂rstone where, if the Safety Car had come out in a different way, he would have challenged for the race win.

“But the ifs don’t count. You need to bring it to the end – but I’m sure we will see Valtteri continue to improve and bring in g𝓀ood race performances.”

Bottas trails Hamilton by 39 points at the top of tꩲhe F1 world drivers’ championship after the opening 10 r💎ounds.