Valtteri Bottas "to look at all the options" with Mercedes future in doubt

Mercedes

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Bottas "to look at all the options" with Mercedes future in doubt

Bottas and Russell are contenders to join Hamilton at Mercedes for 2022

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 9 July 2021 09:28

Valtteri Bottas has confirmed he will look at "all the options" as doubts continue over his Mercedes future.

The Finn, who is in direct competition with George Russell to partner Lewis Hamilton for next year, has had a season filled with misfortune and costly mistakes to leave him fifth in the standings, 90 points adrift of leader Max Verstappen.

With Hamilton signing a new contract ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Bottas said of his own future: "First, I want to get an understanding from the team, what is the plan, what driver they want in the other car.

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"Lewis is confirmed, the other [seat] is still free so the team needs to decide and I need to have that discussion.

"But I also feel like I have many, many years left in me. I enjoy racing, I love F1 so it is definitely not time to go to another form of motorsport in the coming years.

"If that wasn't the case that I would continue with Mercedes then, of course, I would look at other options but it is not something I need to think about now. I also have a good management team and they haven't told me anything yet.

"I don't know if they have been in touch with anyone because they know how important it is to focus on this current moment and delivering the best we can as a team and for me personally.

"The time will be right soon. I don't know yet which day, which week but I think soon. We have to look at all the options and the situation as a whole."

Hamilton contract fully deserved

Bottas has been with Hamilton at Mercedes since 2017, with the duo helping the team win the constructors' championship in each year since then.

The 31-year-old, however, has watched Hamilton win all four drivers' titles over the same period, although the Briton is facing a battle this year to clinch what would be a record-breaking eighth crown.

Bottas can understand why the relationship between Mercedes and Hamilton is continuing, with the onus on him now to resolve his own situation.

"Obviously, it is good for him," added Bottas. "He has fully deserved that and it is nice to see for him, the passion and joy of racing is doing well.

"It was a no brainer for the team and for Lewis. For me, I just realised it is already July and the August break is only two races away so I am sure we have to discuss."