Bottas reacts to Mercedes departure: 'Biggest challenge still ahead of us'

Everyone already knew, but now it's finally official: Valtteri Bottas is leaving Mercedes and George Russell is taking his place. Those who think this means he will do less to help his employer and teammate Lewis Hamilton to the title, are wrong.

"I am so proud of everything we have achieved together in my time with Mercedes," Bottas said on the official website of the team. "And it is not over yet, because we have our biggest challenge so far to try and claim our eighth constructors' title."

Bottas wants to help Mercedes to eighth title

He continued, "When I look back on my time with Mercedes, I want to be able to say that I squeezed every drop out of this opportunity and left nothing on the table; and I want to make sure that we finish our time together as champions."

For Hamilton and team boss Toto Wolff, the Finn has nothing but praise. "It has been a privilege and a great sporting challenge to work with Lewis, and the harmony in our relationship played a big part in the constructors' championships we won as teammates."

His motivation has not diminished as he begins a new chapter at Alfa Romeo. "I am really pleased to have chosen my new challenge with Alfa Romeo, an exciting and iconic manufacturer, and by the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid. I'm as hungry as ever to race for results and when the time comes, for wins. But for now, my mission is clear: maximum attack for Mercedes, all the way to the final lap in Abu Dhabi."