Wolff describes Bottas' contribution as "enormous"

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has described Valtteri Bottas' contribution to the Silver Arrows this season as "enormous".

Bottas managed three wins last season, after finishing third in the Drivers' Championship, but this season; the Finn looks set to stay winless, with just one more race in Abu Dhabi - occupying fourth position, only three points clear of Max Verstappen in fifth.

The Finnish driver has achieved seven second-place finishes this season and perhaps could have won in Sochi; if it wasn't for team orders.

Mercedes achieved their fifth consecutive constructors' championship on Sunday in Brazil, after Lewis Hamilton's fifth world championship crown a couple of weeks before.

Wolff has claimed that Bottas' role is "enormous" in the team and he has played a "vital role" for Mercedes' success yet again.

"Valtteri had a trickier season than Lewis, but he has improved his performance this year and played a vital role for this championship success," Wolff explained to Motorsport Week.

"His contribution was enormous. Until the Baku incident where he lost 25 points, he was properly in the fight for the championship and since then it has gone against him," Wolff speaking about the Bottas incident in Azerbaijan.

"He's kept his dignity and played a big role in supporting the team, without losing his stature as a racing driver, and as a racing driver that can win. And I think he's (had) an enormous mental struggle to know that you can't win anymore and you need to support your team-mate, and he's achieved that.

"And I think he will come back strong next year and will give Lewis and all of the others a run for their money."

If Bottas fails to win in Abu Dhabi; he will become the first Mercedes driver to have a winless season since 2012.