Wolff sets Bottas a target to keep his Mercedes seat

Toto Wolff has revealed Valtteri Bottas must perform at the same level as five-time and current world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2019, in order for the Finn to keep his seat at Mercedes.

Bottas had a disappointing 2018 season, completing the whole campaign without a grand prix win to his name, with his team-mate Hamilton clinching his fifth world title.

Now that Mercedes have Esteban Ocon as its reserve driver, the pressure on Bottas has increased for the upcoming season, with the French driver keen to take the Finn's spot at the Silver Arrows.

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

Wolff has pinned the 2018 season down to bad luck for Bottas and has acknowledged that comparing him to Hamilton, who is arguably the greatest driver of the genaration, is difficult for the Finnish driver.

"Lewis improving means Valtteri needs to improve," Wolff continued. "I've seen that improvement all the time with him, but you are going against a five-time world champion.

"He needs a start where is right up there with Lewis and all the other drivers for the championship, that is what he needs."