Mercedes has confirmed Valterri Bottas for the subsequent season. The Finnish driver has managed to win five races with The Silver Arrows and is on course for his best championship, being comfortably second with 63 points behind his team mate Lewis Hamilton.

Nevertheless, Bottas has never competed for the championship, without showing the consistency necessary to be main contender for the championship. Asked by Autosport, over his potential as a future Formula 1 champion, Bottas pointed out that he is significantly far from his best, remarking how he is improving year by year.

"I'm not yet there! I keep getting better the older I get.

"I still have many years left, and I keep learning all the time, keep getting better and feeling more and more comfortable in the car every year.

"I'm still far away from what I believe I can be and my goal is to be much, much better than what I am currently.

"We'll keep working for that."

Bottas continued underlining how the team is supporting him to improve and enhance his performances.

"It's definitely a better feeling for the end of the year," he said.

"I also feel very good support from the team and the points gap between me and Lewis is not night and day.

"You never know what will happen in the championship. There might be opportunities for the championship, no point giving up, we have seven races and things can happen.

"It's encouraging for me to see I can perform.

"There's no doubt from my side that I can, when I will be able to be at my best, when title hopes and motivation is there, I know I can do it.”

The Fin concluded indicating his objectives for Singapore, whereby he expects Lewis Hamilton to be the favourite driver for the next race.

"I look forward to Singapore, another race that has been difficult in the past, Lewis has been really strong there.

"We'll give a big effort there to have a good and strong weekend."