F1 | Valtteri Bottas will think about his next contract until the summer break
The Finnish driver has affirmed that he does not want to think about his future until the summer break so he can analyze his options.
Valtteri Bottas has not had the best start to the season. In his fifth season driving for Mercedes, the Finnish driver remains in third position in the drivers' championship with 47 points, however, Valtteri is 33 points behind Max Verstappen, who is in second position. On the other hand, Toto Wolff played his cards well last season and at the end of 2021, Bottas, Hamilton and Russell will be out of contracts for 2022. This means that the German team will have many options during the silly season to choose both of them drivers. A few weeks ago, the seven-time world champion confirmed that his intention is to continue next year with Mercedes and hopes that the summer break is the perfect time to confirm his renewal. The same mentality comes but now from Bottas. During the press conference, ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Valtteri commented that during the summer break, he will take some time to see his options and begin his negotiation.
“Honestly, it’s always better earlier. I’ve had contracts [signed] early, I’ve had contracts too late that it almost becomes a distraction. But to be honest, I haven’t really thought about it yet. And that’s an honest answer.” Valtteri affirmed.
“I’m really just focusing on these races now and that moment when we start to talk it will come eventually. For sure about my future, yes, I think August break is normally a good deadline. But to be honest, I don’t want to think about it yet.”
“I just want to win races, that’s the only thing on my mind at the moment.”
For many, the Finnish driver's seat is at risk, but who would be his replacement in the German team? Most likely it is George Russell. After being teammates in the past 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, and after Russell managed to take away the lead in the first corner and the position in an extremely difficult part of the track to overtake, the rumours came to light. To culminate, George Russell, for his part, stated this Wednesday that he wants his next contract, for whatever team he runs with in 2022, to be multi-year. On the other hand, Mercedes would risk having two drivers who are extremely competitive, and both have already shown it, we are talking about Russell and Hamilton. Who will be the drivers in charge of driving for Mercedes next year?
