Declaring that Lewis Hamilton is “beatable”, Valtteri Bottas says he aims to up the pressure on his team-mate this season even if it causes “some tension” at Mercedes.

After years of tension between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, last season Mercedes were gifted with an easy-going relationship between Hamilton and Bottas.

This year, though, Bottas says he plans to up the tension.

Having won three grands prix in his first season with the Brackley squad, the Finn is determined to throw his hat into the ring for this year’s World title.

“I would like to put more pressure on Lewis on track and be battling wheel-to-wheel with him more often than last year,” Bottas told the Express.