Mercedes Valtteri Bottas has chimed in on the subject of Lance Stroll's disappointing performance to date in Formula 1.
On the back of a difficult introduction to Grand Prix racing, marked by accidents and mistakes, many have pleaded the young Canadian's cause, and none other than Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams.
Bottas, who was initially expected to race alongside Stroll at Williams before moving to Mercedes, agreed that F1 should be patient with a rookie whose 'pay driver' image has only made his case more difficult to assume.
"It's never easy for a driver to come into F1, and in his case, it's even worse," Bottas told Le Journal de Montreal.
"He is only 18 years old and the cars are much more efficient. Let's say he did not choose the right year to make his debut," said the Finn, who was set to be Stroll's 2017 teammate until he was called up by Mercedes.
He continued: "It's never easy for a rookie to compete with the world's top drivers who have a lot of experience.
"So you have to give him time and have patience before making a judgment about him," the former Williams driver added.
However, Bottas thinks Stroll is with the right team to support his push to get up to speed in F1.
"I know the environment well at Williams," said the 27-year-old.
"He is well supervised and the managers there are used to facilitating the work of young drivers. I've been there."
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