Formula 1: Valtteri Bottas drops major hint on social media
By Asher Fair
The speculation may soon end about the Formula 1 future of Valtteri Bottas, as he indicated on social media that a deal has been signed.
The key focus of the Formula 1 silly season has been the second Mercedes car alongside Lewis Hamilton, who signed a two-year extension to remain with the team through the 2023 season earlier this summer.
Valtteri Bottas has driven for the Silver Arrows since the 2017 season, replacing 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg following Rosberg’s unexpected retirement, but has never competed for the team on anything more than a one-year deal.
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But speculation has been rife that it will be George Russell, not Bottas, in the second Mercedes seat next year. Russell is a Mercedes junior driver who is in the third and final year of his contract with Williams, and he impressed Mercedes at Bahrain International Circuit last December when called upon to replace Hamilton after Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19.
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We know for a fact that the decision has been made by the Brackley-based team, but there has been no official confirmation from anybody regarding who the second driver will actually be.
Team principal Toto Wolff has long said that he will ensure that whomever isn’t selected for the second Mercedes seat finds another seat in Formula 1 for next year. Russell would presumably be a lock to stay at Williams, but for Bottas, things would be less clear.
However, things are starting to come into focus.
Bottas posted a now-expired picture on his Instagram story on Monday featuring a pen and paper, indicating that something had been signed for next year.
Of course, this picture in itself could indicate a new Mercedes deal. However, the fact that it came when it did indicates otherwise.
Reports emerged Monday that Bottas has signed with Alfa Romeo to replace Kimi Raikkonen. Formula 1’s most experienced driver of all-time is expected to announce his retirement from the sport during the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, which is two weekends from now.
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And this who sequence should ultimately clear the way for Russell to join Hamilton at Mercedes.