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Bottas still expects "respect" from Mercedes

20:00, 30 Aug 2018

byBobby Vincent

Valtteri Bottas expects "respect" from Mercedes even if he is handed the support role for Lewis Hamilton at Monza this weekend.

Bottas believes Mercedes will still "have respect for both drivers" if he is asked to take on a support role in Italy this weekend.

The Finn is yet to win a Grand Prix at Mercedes, as he endures his second season with the Silver Arrows.

It is expected that Bottas will be asked to essentially move over for his team-mate, who is currently 83 points ahead of Bottas - as he is in battle with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who trails Hamilton by 17 points.

Toto Wolff said after the Belgian Grand Prix that the Mercedes team have not discussed this yet - however, they will assess the situation after the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Bottas was asked whether a move like this would affect his approach to driving, Bottas replied: "For sure, it will be different, in terms of how you approach the weekend.

"But I think the team would still support both of us a lot.

"If I would have the pace to win a race, by pure speed, if I'm about to win a race, it's up to the team to look at the situation. I don't think, in any way, I would completely lose the freedom to win the race if I'm able to do so.

"It depends on the situation: if there are clear points or way to avoid me or Lewis to lose points, we'll see how to do it. It will always depend on the situation and I do turst the team that they have respect for both drivers and won't do anything too harsh."