Valtteri Bottas hopes Mercedes contract talks don't drag on

Valtteri Bottas seems to be doing everything in his powers to keep hold of his Mercedes seat beyond the 2019 Formula 1 season. The Finn has won two out of four races as he looks to fight Lewis Hamilton for the world championship.

Every weekend, his expected successor Esteban Ocon sits at the back of the garage waiting to take over. But so far, it's looking like the Frenchman might be pushed out for another season.

The 29-year-old admits contract talks are yet to start, but hopes they don't drag on once they do get underway.

“I’m just really focused on this moment right now, fighting for every single victory and for this championship. The talks will come when they come, and when they start I hope they will be done with soon rather than dragging on," he said in an interview with Sky Sports.

“We haven’t talked a single word about next year yet because there’s no need to, we’re focusing on our job. When that’s going to happen, I hope that we can agree quickly. It’s all good.”

Last summer, Mercedes announced Bottas' contract signing before the drama sparked with Daniel Ricciardo's shock move and Force India hitting administration. The latter resulted in Mercedes junior driver Ocon being forced to leave Racing Point.