Valtteri Bottas has agreed a new contract with Mercedes – freeing up team principal Toto Wolff to focus on sealing fresh terms for talisman Lewis Hamilton. The Finn, who joined the F1 champions from Williams three years ago, has committed his future to Mercedes for the 2021 campaign.

Bottas won the first race of this season in Austria and has played a key role in the Brackley-based team’s sustained success over the past few seasons.

“I’m very happy to stay with Mercedes in 2021 and build on the success we’ve enjoyed together already,” Bottas said. “Thank you to everyone in the team and the wider Mercedes family for their continued support and their trust in me. I’m very proud to represent this great team and the three-pointed star on our journey together again next year.

“The past few years have been all about continuous improvement, working on every aspect of my performance. I’m confident that today I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, but I can always raise the bar. Mercedes embraces the same philosophy: They always want to get better and are always hungry for more.

“Ever since I fell in love with F1 as a kid it’s been my dream to one day become world champion. I’m in the fight for the title this year and staying with Mercedes puts me in the best possible position to compete for it next season as well.

“We’re in the middle of a shortened season and I want to give my absolute best in every single race we’ll go to this year. The puncture last weekend was a bit of a blow in my fight with Lewis, but I’m determined to come back strong this weekend on the same track.”

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