“If we can get the balance right if we can get the car a bit more drivable, the true corner balance to be better…I think we’re really understanding and fine-tuning the setup already. There’s still more to come.”
However, he cannot see the team overtaking Red Bull on pace and delivering crushing victories as it did in 2020.
“We’ve seen quite a big swings in performance, track to track,” he said. “You never know but I can’t see anyone really dominating this year.”
Bottas said that he returned to the Brackley factory between the Bahrain and Imola races to test new approaches in the simulator and “lost count” of the different setup items that he tested.
This year’s development race is much tougher than usual, as teams look to focus work on next year’s car, built to new regulations, while facing wind tunnel and CFD restrictions – which are tightest for Mercedes as the reigning constructors’ champion.
Covid travel restrictions will also limit the ability for drivers to travel in and out of the country.
“Within the restrictions, within the situation we’re trying to make most out of it,” said Bottas. “And it’s same for the team. They are really restricted on the development time for efficiency and planning is really the key.
“I’m really keen to see what this year is going to bring to us and how it’s going to end up, it’s really a really exciting year ahead.”