Mercedes-AMG
Petronas Motorsport announced a confirmation for a signed one-year contract
with Valtteri Bottas. There is an option the contract to be extended for a further
year with the team in 2020.
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| Mercedes-AMG Petronas and Valtteri Bottas have a one-year contract with an option to be extended for another one. |
Valtteri
Bottas, 28-year-old Finn, joined the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team at
the beginning of 2017. Last season, he played a key role in winning Mercedes’
fourth consecutive constructors’ championship. In total, Valtteri scored three
Grand prix victories and five pole positions.
This
year Valtteri Bottas made a significant step forward in performance and complements
Lewis Hamilton. Thus both drivers are the strongest driver pairing at the
moment.
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| Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton are the strongest driver pairing at the moment. |
Valtteri
Bottas commented:
“It
is great news that I will be racing for Mercedes in 2019 and it is nice to
announce it here in Hockenheim – not just the home race for Mercedes but also
the circuit where I took my first ever single-seater wins back in 2007. This
year, with a full winter of preparation, I have been able to make a good step
forward – and I believe that there is still more to come. We have not been so
lucky in the races this year but the team knows how I am performing, and this
is a great sign of confidence in me and my driving. I enjoy working with the
team, and also being team-mates with Lewis – we have a good relationship,
honest and straightforward, and always aiming to get the right results for
Mercedes. We have a big battle on our hands right now, so it’s good to have the
future clear for everybody – it means we can have a full focus on the
championship fight. Obviously, my goal is to keep performing at a high level –
and to make it a no-brainer for the team when it comes to deciding their plans
for 2020 as well.”
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| Valtteri Bottas and Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. |
Team
Principal and CEO Toto Wolff concluded:
“We
are very pleased to extend Valtteri’s contract with Mercedes for another season
at least – and to be able to confirm an unchanged driver line-up for 2019,
ahead of our home race in Hockenheim. Valtteri’s performances have been
excellent this season and, if not for our mistakes and his misfortune, he could
be leading the drivers’ championship at the moment. When we took the decision
in favour of Valtteri for 2019, it wasn’t just about his undoubted speed and
work ethic, but also a question of character. His relationship with the team,
including Lewis, is open and trusting, without any politics at all. Those are
the ingredients you need when you’re fighting strong rivals in both
championships and they mirror the values inside the team. I am very excited to
keep Valtteri in the team and look forward to celebrating many more successes
with him.”
