Ralf Schumacher: Very surprised if we have a 'new' Bottas

Schumacher, brother of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, has emerged as a Sky Sport pundit for German TV and gave his take on what unfolded at the Australian Grand Prix.

In qualifying, Bottas ran pole-winner Lewis Hamilton close as the pair locked out the front row for the season opener. Then, from the start, the #77 car launched well to take the lead into Turn 1 and remain there until the chequered flag waved, winning by over twenty seconds.

The victory prompted a flurry of reports hailing a 'new' Bottas, a revitalised driver compared to the one who failed to score a victory the whole of last year. Not a wingman on that day.

But Schumacher interpreted the Finn's performance differently to most, "I would say it was just a good weekend for him no more and no less. I would not read too much into it. He showed in qualifying that he could be on the level of Hamilton but, in the end, he was still a tenth away."

"Without [Hamilton's broken] floor and the good start, it would be the usual story I am pretty sure. That's why: Yes, fine that he did it but I would be very surprised if we have a new Bottas."

Nevertheless, victory will be a boost for Bottas who claimed all 26 points on the day, leading the championship standings for the first time in his career. As the circus heads to Bahrain, he is the man to beat.

Schumacher added, "Bottas definitely needs the momentum, no question about that and he's a driver who can be as quick as an arrow, but not very consistent - and suspect under pressure."

"Lewis' strength is his consistency, his ability to be fast and race at the right time. I want [Bottas] to do it, but I would be very surprised if he learned this over the winter. It's also a character thing after all, but he granted he drove a good race, which makes me very happy for him."

"He was extremely strong during the weekend, maybe even a bit stronger than Lewis but you can not interpret too much into it, because Lewis had an obvious problem with the floor."

But at the same time, Schumacher conceded that Hamilton would have struggled to beat Bottas when he arrived into Turn 1 in P2, "Lewis would have had to overtake him with the undamaged car first, otherwise, I don't think that would've happened in the race."