Valtteri Bottas has nothing guaranteed for the 2020 Formula 1 season, but he feels like he has done enough to earn a Mercedes contract extension. Esteban Ocon, amongst others, are breathing down his neck for his seat in the Silver Arrow.
Bottas has lifted his performance during the 2019 Formula 1 season and sits just 39 points behind Lewis Hamilton at the half-way stage. He set the tone by winning the Australian Grand Prix but has dipped in recent races.
The Finn out-qualified Hamilton at his home race and finished ahead of him in Austria. These advantages for Mercedes in the constructors' championship are strong enough according to Bottas.
“I think I have proven that I deserve a place at Mercedes, but I will have to wait for a few more races. Nothing has been signed yet and in the meantime, I am trying to make progress to ensure that this does happen," he told French Canal + last weekend.
“I might have won more races without Lewis, but this situation helps me get better. I want to be able to challenge him."
If Bottas loses his seat, he has already made plans for another option. Though Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc might have something to say about that...
“If I had to leave Mercedes, I would like to go to the team that is second. At that moment it is Ferrari," Bottas added.
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