Bottas: Speculation over future with Mercedes nothing new

Valtteri Bottas says speculation over his Formula 1 future is “nothing new” and rejected suggestions that his relationship with Mercedes had deteriorated.

Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017, since when he has been on a series of one-year deals, the most recent of which was agreed last August.

Mercedes’ 2022 driver line-up has been one of the main talking points across recent months, with current Williams racer George Russell heavily linked with a move, ostensibly in place of Bottas.

Speaking ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix, Bottas explained that “it’s not a new situation for me, every year I’ve been in the same situation, waiting for my future to be clear for the next year.

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“Everyone knows how this sport works: if you make results, you earn your place where you deserve to be and if you don’t make results, if the team feels it needs to make a driver change then they’ll change the driver.

“It’s very simple in this sport and, again, I’ll go back to saying there are still 16 races to go. The team knows what I’m capable of, how valuable I’ve been in the recent years in getting the championship.

“It’s not yet time for those discussions. We’re in the middle of a triple header, with still two races to go in the next two weeks, but I’m sure in the off weeks there will be time to discuss, when it’s going to be the time.

“That’s the situation I’m in and that’s the situation I need to try and maximise.”

Bottas also rubbished any suggestions that his relationship with Mercedes has suffered in recent months.

“That perception is completely false, we have a good relationship with the team,” he said.

“There’s no issues and that kind of situations are normal. I’m sure not all the things that are said are being broadcasted.

“What has brought us, as a team, this far is that we are always being direct, always being honest with your feelings, if you feel there’s room for improvement, so it’s nothing new and everything is good.”