Bottas claims Mercedes not thinking about Vettel for 2021

Since the time that the community F1 seems to want to oust him from Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas has learned not to pay attention to the rumors that find a replacement for him every season. 

He simply prefers to laugh about it, even if behind the Finn's affable and placid demeanor we feel a very understandable weariness emerging. Like his teammate Lewis Hamilton, Bottas is coming to the end of his contract at the end of the 2020 season, even if the extension of the six-time world champion appears to be a formality.  

Faithful lieutenant of the Briton since 2017, the man from Nastola does the job perfectly but his future in gray is often called into question. This year is no exception. 

« I find the situation rather amusing: we haven't yet competed in a single race in 2020 and my seat has already been taken by other drivers., commented Bottas on the microphone of Sky Sports F1. I don't feel any pressure from that side. I always have a clear goal in mind. Things will work out one way or another ». 

Toto wolff recently stated that renewing the current holders was Mercedes' priority, without ruling out the candidacy of a Sebastian Vettel, centerpiece of the transfer window after the announcement of his non-renewal of contract with Ferrari. 

Bottas, however, claims that the Brackley team has not included the name of the quadruple German world champion on its 2021 shortlist. 

« We are always completely transparent with the team and the message I received was very clear: they are not considering Seb, added the Finn. I said : “Okay, no problem then.” »

The other potential threat to Bottas is George Russell, driver Williams and member of the Mercedes Young Talent Program.