Valtteri Bottas has always been a selfless driver for Mercedes in Formula 1. The Finn swallows the hard pill of team commands and always helps his teammate Lewis Hamilton when it is necessary to achieve a better result.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
And while many may think Mercedes does not acknowledge Bottas’ efforts, especially with the George Russell rumors floating around, it is not.
Team boss Toto Wolff even sees it as his “duty” to help Valtteri to find a place when the time comes, be it at Mercedes or elsewhere on the grid.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
Wolff will do everything in his power to help Bottas get a seat in F1
Last weekend, a team order came into play at the British Grand Prix in which Bottas was instructed not to fight Lewis and to let him pass so that he could pursue Charles Leclerc for the lead of the race.
The risk paid off, because the seven-time world champion overtook Leclerc in the last laps of the race and brought the Silver Arrows victory.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff speak on stage at the F1 Live event during previews ahead of the Australian F1 Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Charles Coates / Getty Images)
Wolff told the newspaper “Ilta Sanomat”, quoted by GrandPrix.News: “If there is a situation in which we want to give someone else a chance, then it’s not just about my relationship with him. I see it as my duty because he deserves a great future.
“He was a team-mate of the best Formula 1 driver in history, and it’s not always easy to shine under these circumstances. But he was fantastic, ”concluded Wolff.
View history: What are sprint races and where are they held?
Who could replace the Finn at Mercedes?
There’s the only name that comes to mind when talking about Mercedes’ second seat, and that’s George Russell. The Briton, part of the young driver program, has been linked to a change in the team since his impressive single ride in Sakhir last year.
Additionally, Williams’ driver expires at the end of the season and is rumored to replace the Bottas for next year.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – Great Britain and Mercedes GP runner-up George Russell looks on at Parc Ferme during qualifying prior to the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1 / Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Wolff said: “We will use the upcoming races to get more clarity. I found Valtteri’s last race (Austrian GP) very strong and he has to consolidate that. We also know George’s strengths and weaknesses. I assume that we will make a decision in the summer.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
“We’re only going to negotiate with Valtteri and George. It’s between them. “
Who do you think will get the seat next year? Will Valtteri continue with the seven-time constructors winner? Or will Wolff & Co. look to the future and get Russell on board for the championship in 2022?
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
DIVE DEEPER
