Motorsport: Bottas there to beat Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas celebrates on the podium next to Lewis Hamilton. Photo / Getty Images

Valtteri Bottas believes he can beat Lewis Hamilton to the Formula One championship after declaring he has not joined Mercedes to settle for second place.

Hamilton will be partnered by the 27-year-old Finn for the new season, which gets under way in Melbourne next month.

Bottas, who is yet to claim a race win in the sport, believes Nico Rosberg's title triumph over Hamilton last season - despite the Briton winning more races - proves his new teammate is not untouchable.

"I feel it is possible. Nico showed beating Lewis is possible," Bottas said.

"I am not here to be in second place or worse. It is definitely a challenge and going up against Lewis is always going to be a challenge, but for me a massive opportunity.

"I respect what he has done with his career, so many poles, wins and three titles - I still don't have a race win - so I have a lot to prove, but everything is still ahead so it is going to be an exciting year."