Lauda confident BOTH drivers will remain at Mercedes

Niki Lauda has revealed he is confident that both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will remain at Mercedes past the 2018 season. This comes after speculation that Ricciardo would replace Bottas.

Lewis Hamilton’s seat for next season is also yet to be nailed down at the German team. He’s won the last two races this season, after a victory drought.

Niki Lauda told Bilb am Sonntag newspaper that his British driver will not make a move.

There’s been more attention and debate over Bottas’ seat, but Lauda believes nothing will change for the Silver Arrows.

“In the last three races, he was faster than Lewis. If you look at him objectively, he is doing really well.” Rosberg-like,” Lauda added.

And perhaps it is this ‘Rosberg-Hamilton relationship’ that Mercedes are desperately trying to avoid. As it stands Lewis and Valtteri get on pretty well with each other in complete contrast to how it was 2 years ago.

Bringing in a driver of Daniel Ricciardo’s calibre could spark tensions that Mercedes could do without.