Valtteri Bottas is not a supporter of one-year contracts, but all indications are that he will also be racing for Mercedes in the 2020 season. Because colleagues from Motorsport-Total.com report that the Finn and his employer Mercedes are located just before signing the contract. Bottas believes that we will not hear anything new this weekend, but the indications suggest that signing the contract is just a formality.
Addressing the topic, Bottas told the reporter with a smile, “Be patient. Yes, we have already had some conversations. I think that was a few weeks ago. From then on, nothing more. However, there is no reason to panic. As a team, we perform very well. And the difference between me and Lewis is pretty small. ”
Already at the Austrian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff announced that the question of who will race alongside Lewis Hamilton next season will be answered earlier than last year. It was then that Mercedes announced the extension of its contract with Bottas on July 20th. But that date is over this year. Whether the decision will be made before the summer break, Wolff said recently. " Yes. Because Valtteri needs to know that. Valtteri is a strong pillar of our team’s success. Although the last races were a bit harder for him. However, in terms of time, we do not want to put ourselves under pressure and we will make the decision for the next season in time. "
Behind the scenes, everything is going in the direction that Bottas will stay on the team. Max Verstappen, who has been linked to Mercedes a lot lately, no longer plays a role for Wolff in terms of 2020. Because the 21-year-old wants in 2021 with Red Bullom to become the youngest world champion. And Esteban Ocon got permission from Mercedes to be able to flirt with other teams as well.
At the same time, Wolff hinted in an interview with colleagues from Motorsport-Total.com that Bottas could receive a one-year contract. "Valtteri told me last year that he has no problem with one-year contracts, although of course he doesn't like them." Because Finn would have preferred to receive a multi-year contract. But Wolff points out: “Valtteri deserves a seat in F1. He knows full well that everything is in his hands. We love him very much. His first quarter of the season was very strong. Now he has to struggle and join this form. ” Then there will be no more obstacles to a new contract.
