“I still have a good few years in me”– Valtteri Bottas still wants to continue in F1 even if Mercedes fire him

“I still have a good few years in me”– Valtteri Bottas is willing to continue in Formula 1 amidst the reports of George Russell replacing him.

Valtteri Bottas’ future with Mercedes has come into jeopardy as reports of George Russell taking over his position are spreading like fire on the pages of all news outlets.

However, Bottas is not willing to leave F1 and talks about Mercedes, and his representation is due to get into a dialogue to decide the future of the alliance.

“We haven’t yet spoken anything because it’s a pretty demanding championship and you know how much it matters to have working peace, let’s say, so you can focus on the main thing, which is performance,” he recently said.

“That time will come, for sure. It’s been not yet, but obviously, time flies, especially when we go to triple headers, etcetera, we won’t really have time.

“I would imagine that naturally in the next month or so maybe we’ll start to speak. I know from previous experience, the sooner you can sort out things it’s better for everyone. So it will come soon, but not yet.”

Valtteri Bottas wants to continue.

Despite the rumours of Russell replacing him in Mercedes, the Finn race driver is hoping to undertake the sixth season with the Brackley based team.

“I’m quite open-minded, like in life in general,” he said. “You need always to take opportunities, and you never know what’s around the corner.

“And that’s also having clear goals, what you’re pushing for, it has taken me this far, and yes [I] always want to follow my heart and follow my passion.

“And I am still enjoying Formula 1, of course, very much and racing at the front, and I really love it, and I still enjoy it as much as I did, for example, in my first year with Mercedes, no doubt.

“If I look at the big picture, for sure I still have a good few years in me. I feel like year on year I keep improving on certain areas and keep getting better,” he added.

“I’m quite far from the oldest drivers on the grid, so, in theory, I still have time, but you don’t know what the future holds. I take it weekend by the weekend and see what comes.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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