A report in the UK press earlier this week alleged that Bottas may not see the season at Mercedes after a sluggish start to the year in which he fell 37 points overall behind teammate Lewis Hamilton.
But the report was quickly rejected by Bottas, who called it “bullshit”, while Hamilton called on the Finn’s critics to “give him a break” and show his support.
Mercedes F1 boss Wolff made it clear the team would never consider changing drivers in the middle of the year, referring to Red Bull’s previous two changes in the season.
“If he doesn’t get the flu and can’t drive, he’ll be in this car,” Wolff said in an interview with Sky Sports F1 about Bottas.
“I don’t see any reason to change. Those people over there [Red Bull] like to play musical chairs. So no change to be expected.
“If you are not satisfied with your wife and are already looking for others, it will not improve the relationship.
“I try to work on my relationship with my driver and get the best result for him before I start flirting with someone else.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1, 1st place, Toto Wolff, Managing Director (Business), Mercedes AMG, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-AMG F1, 2nd place, and the Mercedes team celebrate after the record title of the 7th constructors’ world championship
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Wolff later added: “We have never done that before. Of course, things can always change, if for some reason, but our plan was and never was to do so. What is next year will be next year. “
Mercedes junior Russell has been widely recognized as the successor to Bottas or Hamilton in the senior team after impressing in his F1 career to date with Williams.
Russell made a one-off appearance for Mercedes in Sakhir last year after Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19. He qualified second and almost won the race.
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Both Hamilton and Bottas no longer have a contract at the end of the year, but Hamilton has already indicated that he would like to race in 2022.
However, Wolff said it was “far too early” to discuss driver line-up plans for 2022 after previously saying Mercedes had not officially opened talks with Hamilton about a new deal.
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