Valtteri Bottas believes that in two or three years Alfa Romeo could be challenging for race wins, if they can be innovative with their car design.

Alfa have had a positive season and they find themselves firmly in the midfield fight this year, though naturally they want to get to the very front like all self-respecting Formula 1 teams.

That said, then, Bottas believes that with a bit of creative thinking the team can get there, though it might be two or three years before they do so.

Asked by Give Me Sport's George Dagless at Silverstone how long he thought it might be before Alfa could turn into challengers for race wins, Bottas had this to say:

"This year is a long shot!

"We have a decent gap to the cars ahead like if you look at Ferrari and Red Bull they can base next year's car on this year's car so we have a bit of catching up to do.

"I would say I truly believe it is possible because it is same budget for everyone and then it's about being innovative and if you manage to think outside the box and find something that others haven't then it's possible.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 17: Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Alfa Romeo F1 C42 Ferrari on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 17, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

"Next year realistically it's going to be tough I think but in two or three years never say never and I think that's good motivation for everyone to get to the top and see what we're capable of."

Of course, establishing themselves as the best of the rest this season would be a good step towards that goal of eventually winning races, and Bottas said by the summer break he hopes they will be above Alpine in the Constructors' standings, as they work towards that aim.

It'll take hard work, but Alfa have a quality driver in Bottas and if they can all pull together who knows what they can achieve in the coming years.