Valtteri Bottas secures Mercedes seat for 2018 F1 season

Valtteri Bottas joined the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsports Formula 1 team this season, replacing 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg. At the time, Bottas had only secured a 1-year contract with the Silver Arrows, which would expire by the end of this season. However, Mercedes has announced that the Finnish-driver will continue to race for the Silver Arrows next season.

“We gave Valtteri a big challenge this year: joining the team at the eleventh hour, stepping up to the forefront of F1 and pairing with the sport’s best driver as his team-mate. With that in mind, his results have been probably even more impressive,” said Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

Bottas managed to perform well throughout this on-going Formula 1 season, and has good chemistry with teammate Lewis Hamilton. During his first time out with the Silver Arrows in Australia, he immediately scored a podium finish. Three races later, he would win his first Grand Prix with the Silver Arrows in Russia. To date, the Finn has managed to claim two pole positions and nine podium finishes out of 13 races. He currently sits 3^rd in drivers standings only 38 points behind Sebastian Vettel.

“There have been ups and downs – more ups, fewer downs – and some great highlights like his two race wins in Russian and Austria. Overall, the balance of his performances and his upward trajectory made it a no-brainer for us to continue with him into 2018,” added Wolff.

Meanwhile, Bottas says that he is honoured to continue working with the team for the next season. He further adds that he will continue to work hard both on and off the track to show the team that signing him on for another season was the right decision.