Villeneuve: "Of course Mercedes should continue with Bottas"

Jacques Villeneuve has made his opinion clear on the Valtteri Bottas contract extension. He believes it'd be too risky for Mercedes to split up Bottas and Lewis Hamilton by opting for the less experienced Esteban Ocon.

The 1997 Formula 1 world champion isn't sure why Mercedes would even consider the breakup. Bottas has improved significantly compared to the 2018 Formula 1 season. This time last year, Bottas had a contract extension in his pocket.

"Why would you do that? Of course, they should continue with Bottas. How many times have they been first and second this season? If was half a second slower at every race, like he was last year, then ok, you can replace him. But that is not the case. Why would you take him [Ocon]? He is yet to prove himself. I don't know exactly how good he is and would never take that risk," Villeneuve said.

Bottas started the season in sublime style. Many, including Bottas himself, believe he was helped because of the rally driving he did during the winter break. Six months later and Bottas is jumping back into a rally car to drive in the unbranded M-sport world rally championship-spec Ford Fiesta in Germany. "You always learn something when you drive," Bild newspaper quotes Bottas as saying about the 'secret' test.