F1 News
Bottas remains unsurprised by Verstappen's contract extension: "Why not?"
The 2021 reshuffle was expected to be rather entertaining. However, two of the six seats at the front of the grid have already been secured reducing the expectations of a 'wild silly season'. Both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have signed long contract extensions that will see them stay at their respective teams until beyond the 2022 season. Valtteri Bottas isn't surprised by the choices made.
Bottas himself is searching for another contract extension at Mercedes. Just like last year, the Finnish driver will need to storm out of the blocks in early races of the 2020 F1 season to impresses Toto Wolff and alike. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is rumoured to be close to a two-year deal at Mercedes which will see him through until he is 38-years-old.
Bottas says it makes perfect sense for Ferrari and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing to secure their drivers as quickly as possible.
“Everything is quite open after this year, so they probably wanted to have at least one driver they can be sure of. Then you cannot be confronted with surprises. Charles and Max are both still very young and have demonstrated their skills behind the wheel. The teams know there is no risk whatsoever to keep them in the team," the Finn explains to the Ilta Sanomat newspaper.
Bottas and Hamilton
During his time at Mercedes, Bottas has been used as a so-called "wingman" to help support Hamilton's chances of a World Championship. Despite starting strongly last season, he couldn't keep up with his British teammate as they headed into the summer break. He reports there's no trouble between the two drivers in the Silver Arrows.
"If there was tension between us, it was only a small amount. We have worked well together and we have never been so close together. We have raced hard against each other, but there have never been any problems," Bottas continues.