Bottas Signs New Mercedes Contract

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor

Valtteri Bottas will stay in silver for 2018. The two-time race winner has signed a new one year deal with Mercedes AMG Petronas to partner with Lewis Hamilton for a second season.

The Finn was quickly added to the team over last winter after 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg shocked the racing world by announcing his immediate retirement. He has more than proved himself throughout 2017, in addition to his two wins in Russia and Austria, he sits third in the drivers’ standings and has stood on the podium nine times to Hamilton’s eight.

“We gave Valtteri a big challenge this year,” said executive director Toto Wolff.

“Joining the team at the eleventh hour, stepping up to the forefront of F1 and pairing with the sport’s best driver as his team-mate. With that in mind, his results have been probably even more impressive. There have been ups and downs – more ups, fewer downs – and some great highlights like his two race wins in Russian and Austria. Overall, the balance of his performances and his upward trajectory made it a no-brainer for us to continue with him into 2018.”

It is not known if Bottas’ contract extends beyond 2018, which is also the end of Hamilton’s current contract with the team.

Ever focused on the future, Bottas said that Mercedes “took a leap of faith by putting their trust in him,” but added “I’m happy to have celebrated my first race wins in a Silver Arrow. However, there’s always room for improvement and I still have not shown my full potential.”