Bottas aims to stay out of trouble in debut season | 2013 F1 season

Valtteri Bottas expects the F1 field will be even closer than last year and says staying out of trouble and getting to the finish will be vital.

Asked if this year will be as close as last year Bottas said: 'I think probably even more'.

'I think everyone understands there cars now much better and many cars are just carry-overs and more developed,' he said.

'So I would expect to be even closer and I think that's good because sometimes a driver can have more impact and it's just better for the race.'

Speaking to journalists in Barcelona, Bottas said his priority in his first season was to make sure he finished as many races as possible:

'In F1 I've seen it's so important to finish the race and to see the flag because if you want to take the points first of all you need to finish the race.

'So it shall be the main thing next year to always try to finish the race. That's something I learned from just watching outside.'

He acknowledged he has some ground to make up after spending last year as a test driver: 'For sure in racing situations, last year because I didn't race, I haven't improved. And the only thing to improve your racing skill is to race.'

'But I think before last year I already got quite a good level at least in the categories before in races. Normally all the races went well.'

Bottas added he is especially looking forward to some of the more traditional venues on the calendar:

'Myself I like a bit more the old school kind of tracks like Spa and Suzuka. I really like those nice, fast, flowing and a bit less run-off area, that's always good, makes it more difficult to find the limit.'

2013 F1 season

• Hamilton sets quickest time of Barcelona test
• Bottas aims to stay out of trouble in debut season
• 2013 F1 testing day 11 in pictures
• Valsecchi replaces Raikkonen for penultimate test day
• Live: 2013 F1 testing day 11 ' Barcelona

Browse all 2013 F1 season articles

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