Toto Wolff believes there is an easy solution for Valtteri Bottas if he wants to end the constant speculation about his F1 future at Mercedes.
Bottas is a driver who is under pressure after his worst start to the season since moving to Mercedes in 2017 and did not finish in the top two in the first seven races in particular.
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It has led to rumors that his days at Mercedes are numbered and he could potentially swap places with George Russell and return to the team that gave him his F1 start with Williams.
When asked if the speculations fuel Bottas’ motivation, Wolff replied: “I think Valtteri knows that the only answer to these rumors is to fall by the wayside.
“Drive fast cars on Saturday and Sunday. If he can do that, he will be very well positioned for next year.”
Wolff finds reason to defend Bottas
Bottas’ own patience with Mercedes is also weakening, underscored by his radio message about the team after he was overtaken by Red Bulls Max Verstappen during the French GP when he was furious that his requests were a two-stop strategy to pursue were ignored.
Bottas, however, appeared to be outdone in terms of tire management by teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was still managing to do fast laps late when Verstappen chased him.
When asked to evaluate Bottas’ history of poor tire management in edge races, Wolff at least defended the Finn.
“I still think that he did a good race, to be honest, because he was at the front with Lewis and Max for long stretches and things are going in the right direction,” said Wolff.
“Yes, there is still a gap in tire management and we will look at that in detail, but I see real progress in the way Valtteri approaches the races and we have never doubted qualifying.”
The post Bottas knows the answer to the end of the Mercedes F1 future rumors – Wolff first appeared on monter-une-startup.
