Bottas: "I have the most wanted seat in F1"

Valtteri Bottas will retain the second seat at Mercedes for a third season in a row. He was dropped into the Silver Arrow at the start of the 2017 season following Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement. After yesterday’s contract announcement, he’ll be there until at least December 2019.

Without a doubt, the Mercedes car has been the best over the best half decade. Bottas knows full well that almost every driver on the grid wants to replace him. The Finn remains grateful that Mercedes did the deal.

“It feels like a relief. Even if you do not want to think about it, you do it between races. I have the most wanted spot in the paddock, so I am very proud that the team chose me,” Bottas said.

Despite acknowledging a drop of focus due to the contract talks, the 28-year-old went on to suggests the deal was done very quickly.

“Lewis and I spoke to the team in 2017 and earlier this year, we already had a plan for the future. We talked about the contract for the first time at Silverstone. It is not that far away, and now we are here,” he told Planet F1.