Signing Valtteri Bottas was undoubtedly a complicated matter for Mercedes, and while the plum drive is his, it’s believed he only gets it for one year.
It’s rumored that the Finn’s contract runs until the end of 2017, with options for an extension kicking in, or not, depending on Bottas level of performance. That’s what Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hinted at Monday afternoon.
“We have a couple of options,” the Austrian told Sky Sports News HQ.
“We were caught back with Nico’s decision to retire and we have some great junior drivers with Pascal [Wehrlein] and Esteban [Ocon] coming up the ranks.
“But they need a little bit more time, so for us it was key to keep the options open and Valtteri is very well aware of that. He needs to just perform and be quick and then the future can be his.”
If the Finn fails to deliver, promoting one of Mercedes’ junior drivers is not a given, however.
Why? Because unfortunately for them, a few good other men may enter the fray, notably Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, both of which are in their final year of contract with their respective teams this season.
No more secrets! I'll be driving a Silver Arrow in 2017. So happy and proud to be part of the @MercedesAMGF1 family! #F1 #VB77 #mbfamily pic.twitter.com/IOjUGDqPpc
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) January 16, 2017
Regardless of where he ends the championship at the end of 2017, Bottas will likely be judged on a relative basis with Lewis Hamilton.
“Valtteri has all the ingredients and we haven’t seen him in a car that’s capable of challenging for championships.
“That’s a different step, and some drivers have developed in the right direction and some have not. Certainly Valtteri can give him a run for his money.”
