F1 News

What Bottas has to do to keep Mercedes seat

What Bottas has to do to keep Mercedes seat

04-01-2019 14:16
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It was a tough year for Valtteri Bottas after he failed to win a single race in 2018 and Toto Wolff has set out what the Finn must do to keep his spot in 2020.

The Mercedes driver has had to play second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton throughout his time at the team and many have questioned whether he deserves his seat.

Team boss Toto Wolff was sympathetic towards Bottas and admitted he needs to get rid of the bad luck that plagued his season.

"Valtteri knows exactly where he needs to be next year," said Wolff.

"He needs to have all the bad luck gone and perform on a level with Lewis.

“That is what is needed for the 2020 year. He knows very well that, and he has that in him."

Mercedes have a ready-made replacement in Esteban Ocon and Wolff feels Bottas needs to up his game with Hamilton constantly improving.

"Lewis improving means Valtteri needs to improve.” Explained Wolff.

"I've seen that improvement all the time with him, but you are going against a five-time world champion.

"Beating a five-time world champion at the peak of his performance is going to be very difficult and Valtteri knows that.

“But I think that he has it in him.” Added the Austrian.

Quotes from Autosport