Source: Mercedes-Benz Archive

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Bottas confident of Mercedes drive in 2020

Bottas confident of Mercedes drive in 2020

05-12-2018 17:00 Last update: 17:03
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Jake Williams-Smith

Valtteri Bottas is confident he will remain a Mercedes driver in 2020 despite the highly-rated Esteban Ocon waiting in the wings. The Finn disappointed in 2018, failing to win a single race, the only driver unable to do so in the top three teams.

Whilst his teammate took a fifth championship title, Bottas struggled in the W09 in comparison. Though he was unlucky at times like in Shanghai and Baku, his performances in the second half of the season raised questions relating to a potential swap before the Finn's contract is up with the team. 

With Ocon waiting on the sidelines and rumours suggesting the Frenchman could be set to race for the team alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2020, Bottas remains defiant and is sure he will remain with the team.

"People are always talking and, for sure, every driver wants to move on with their own career, they want to grab the opportunities," he said. "But it’s not my job to worry about that, it’s only going to hurt me.

“I have a very good relationship with every team member here, including Toto (Wolff), and we can always speak openly about anything, so there’s nothing being hidden.

“If I meet my targets and the targets the team has for me next year, that’s good. If I don’t and if the team feels I’m not performing well enough, then it’s fair enough. It’s how the sport goes, so I’m not worried.”

Reflecting on his 2018 season, Bottas admitted that he would need to improve his performances to ensure he would be driving for Mercedes in the future.

“I need to have a look at everything from this season and in every race weekend there are things you can do better.

“I cannot say it was just one thing (to improve) but we’ll have a better look at everything and talk with the team about it. Then I’ll need to decide what will be the main points, because there are many things and we’re limited with time and with what you can process at once.

"That’s the plan for the winter. From a season like this you just have to learn and try to forget, but this is definitely a season that will make me a tougher person and driver for the future.”