F1 Power Rankings: Top 10 Drivers After Monaco Grand Prix

#2 Valtteri Bottas

F1 Grand Prix of Australia where Bottas won the season-opener

Should the 2019 season be called the "return of the Wingman" or the "Wingman fights back?"

No, let's dispense with silly titles. For Bottas doesn't need one. What he needs is to be respected.

Valtteri Bottas is second-best to Lewis Hamilton so far in 2019. This is not only in speed but also in pure stats where the 2019 season stands with six races done and fifteen more to go.

The Finnish driver missed out on a podium at Monte Carlo, despite being the second quickest behind teammate Lewis Hamilton (in the quali) at the 78-lap run.

But make no mistake. Bottas, up until the Monaco Grand Prix was the only other driver who finished consistently on the podium alongside the 2018 world champion, Lewis Hamilton.

We possibly cannot forget the aggressive streak which he demonstrated to win the season-opener at Australia, a race where it seemed that there was nothing that the others were able to do to contain the Finn.

Valtteri Bottas' contribution at upholding Mercedes this season can be gauged from the simple fact that had it not been for his consistent finishes- P2 at Bahrain and China and the glorious win at Baku, as seen a month ago- Mercedes may not have been where they are currently, i.e., right on top of the Constructor Standings, yet again.