Wolff: "He has the full backing of the team"

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has backed Valtteri Bottas to come back in 2019 stronger than ever. The Finn played a back-up role last year to his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Having missed out on race victories in the first half of the year through a number of circumstances, Bottas was forced to play rear-gunner for his teammate for much of the season in the fight against Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel.

Ahead of the new season, Wolff has made it clear that Bottas will not be a number two driver from the start and believes he will up his game against Hamilton this year.

“Valtteri knows he has the full backing of the team to succeed," Wolff told media at the launch of the Mercedes W10.

"He's excited to get back in the car and show his critics what he can do.

“We had a good chat after the break. He was in a good place and has been able to fully reset after a season that was not always easy for him.

“He was refreshed, he's extremely hungry, and he wants to start racing again."

Whether or not Bottas is forced into a similar role again this season only time will tell but a strong start to the season could prove vital for the 29-year-old.