Mercedes have 'no idea' where they are going to finish in 2018 - Bottas

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has conceded that the Silver Arrows have 'no idea' where the team is going to finish in the 2018 rankings as they attempt to win their fifth constructor's championship in a row - solidifying their status as the most dominant team in F1.

Bottas joined Mercedes after Nico Rosberg won the driver's world championship only to announce his shock retirement shortly afterward. The Finn enjoyed a lukewarm first season as he won three Grand Prix races but never really looked likely to mount a title assault against Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

The Silver Arrows may have won four titles in a row, but Bottas has admitted the team does not know where they will finish in 2018.

“There are always unknowns in Formula 1 and mainly related to performance, we have no idea where we are going to be,” Bottas said. “That's exciting and I know everyone has given 100% to make a good car for us.

“It is going to be a new season and we need to make the most of it, because I am sure there are many teams that are willing to beat us. But, our will to stay at the top is hopefully bigger.”

Rosberg's retirement announcement in 2016 came an an inconvenient time for Mercedes as their new vehicle for the upcoming 2017 campaign was already being developed which meant Bottas did not have a great deal of time to get to grips with it before the season started.

This time around, however, he is reveling in seeing the development process.

“The team is working so hard on the car and this year I have been able to follow that process and see how demanding it has been,” he continued.

“Last year I joined and the car was ready so I'm looking forward to trying the new car and then it is a new season, everyone starts from zero. A new season full of opportunities and my aim is to take those opportunities this year.”