Bottas will stay at Mercedes “at least until the end of 2021”

The announcement had been expected for several weeks: it has just come ahead of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix held at Silverstone: Valtteri Bottas will be a pilot Mercedes « at least until the end of the 2021 season » says the official press release. 

Arrived in Brackley from Williams in 2017 after the surprise retirement of 2016 champion Nico Rosberg, Bottas has 8 victories, 12 pole positions, and 48 podiums (including 39 at Mercedes) in his career. 

The former GP3 Series winner (2010) is currently 2nd in the Drivers' standings, 30 points behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton, whose extension at Mercedes is also anticipated. 

« I am very happy to stay at Mercedes in 2021 to build on our joint successes, said Bottas. In recent seasons we have continued to improve steadily and I have never felt so strong. But I feel like I want to raise my level of play even further. Last weekend's puncture was a big blow in the championship fight but I'm determined to bounce back this weekend. ».

Since his arrival at Mercedes, Bottas has had a series of one-year contract extensions, despite his desire to obtain more stability and visibility. At the same time, this annual extension allows it to continue to drive the best in the field, which should still be the case next year given that the technical regulations barely change.

The only problem is that he shares the Mercedes garage with someone who knows how to handle the hoop quite well…