close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Did Valtteri Bottas just lose his Mercedes seat?

Photo: © LAT Images

Did Valtteri Bottas just lose his Mercedes seat?

Not a good start at the Hungaroring.

Valtteri Bottas made a shocking start to the Hungarian Grand Prix, dropping to last place after making contact with team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to necessitate a front-wing change.

It was the last thing that Bottas needed in a crucial outing for his future, as Mercedes plot who to partner Lewis Hamilton with in 2020.

Toto Wolff has confirmed that the choice is between Bottas and reserve driver Esteban Ocon.

Having outqualified Hamilton to start second at the Hungaroring, Bottas might have hoped for a win to close some of the 41-point deficit to Hamilton in the drivers' championship.

However, the Finn had a shocking opening lap, locking up twice in the first few corners, as well as damaging his tyres in close combat with his stable-mate, and the Ferrari of Leclerc, who chopped in front of him coming out of Turn 4.

With paddock rumours swirling that Wolff will take Bottas' most recent performances in mind when assessing whether to keep Bottas or not, his poor start in Budapest may just cost him his race seat at the Silver Arrows.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Liam Lawson reflects on his two disastrous Red Bull races: 'Max Verstappen was not happy'

Liam Lawson reflects on his two disastrous Red Bull races: 'Max Verstappen was not happy'

  • 18 minutes ago
The secret Lewis Hamilton trick which triggered Ferrari renaissance

The secret Lewis Hamilton trick which triggered Ferrari renaissance

  • 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton rocks Ferrari, new race plans approved

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton rocks Ferrari, new race plans approved

  • 1 hour ago
Marshal reacts after being SLAPPED by angry racer following crash

Marshal reacts after being SLAPPED by angry racer following crash

  • Yesterday 22:55
Former F1 boss admits 'beating themselves' up over trying to save team

Former F1 boss admits 'beating themselves' up over trying to save team

  • Yesterday 21:57
Lewis Hamilton admits 'relentless' pursuit of change left Ferrari shaken

Lewis Hamilton admits 'relentless' pursuit of change left Ferrari shaken

  • Yesterday 20:53

Just in

08:58
Liam Lawson reflects on his two disastrous Red Bull races: 'Max Verstappen was not happy'
08:15
The secret Lewis Hamilton trick which triggered Ferrari renaissance
07:30
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton rocks Ferrari, new race plans approved
22-6
Marshal reacts after being SLAPPED by angry racer following crash
22-6
Former F1 boss admits 'beating themselves' up over trying to save team
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

The secret Lewis Hamilton trick which triggered Ferrari renaissance Lewis Hamilton

The secret Lewis Hamilton trick which triggered Ferrari renaissance

1 hour ago
Lewis Hamilton admits 'relentless' pursuit of change left Ferrari shaken Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton admits 'relentless' pursuit of change left Ferrari shaken

Yesterday 20:53
Red Bull and Honda F1 partnership kept alive thanks to odd contract clause Latest F1 News

Red Bull and Honda F1 partnership kept alive thanks to odd contract clause

Yesterday 19:52
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton suffers title blow as George Russell reveals injury incident F1 News Today

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton suffers title blow as George Russell reveals injury incident

Yesterday 16:12
Ontdek het op Google Play
x