Bottas expects quick resolution to Mercedes future after Hamilton deal

Valtteri Bottas says he expects to resolve his own Formula 1 future “soon”, after Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton agreed a new contract extension with the reigning world champions. 

Mercedes confirmed Hamilton had signed a two-year deal to remain with the team until the end of 2020 on the eve of its home race at this weekend’s German Grand Prix. 

No update was provided on the future of Bottas - whose current contract expires at the end of this season - though Mercedes is expected to retain the same driver line-up heading into 2019.

Speaking about the progress of his own negotiations, Bottas told reporters in Hockenheim: “It’s something we’re going to find out soon. 

“I don’t really want to talk more about that, otherwise we’re just going to go around in circles. If there’s been an agreement or not, we’ll find out soon.”

When asked if he has a back up plan for 2019 in case Mercedes opted not to stick with him, Bottas replied: “That’s something I’m going to keep to myself too.”

Bottas insisted he does not think the length of a contract has any effect on how a driver approaches each race. 

“You always try to do what is best for the result you want to achieve, weather it’s for that lap, for that race or for the season,” he said. 

“You always try to do the best to get the maximum amount of points, weather if it’s risking for the win or playing for the season. I can’t say having a one, two or three-years contract would change that.”

Another leading driver out of contract at the end of the year is Daniel Ricciardo, who has been linked with a Mercedes seat in recent months while he considered his options. 

But it is likely the Australian will continue with Red Bull in 2019 as it begins a new engine partnership with Honda, having cut its ties with Renault after growing frustrated at a lack of progress from its current power unit supplier.

That deal took delayed talks between the Milton Keynes-based outfit and Ricciardo, though negotiations are now understood to be well underway.