Valtteri Bottas has said that although he is pleased with his contract extension for 2018, he realises he needs to continue to impress in order to seal a long-term future with the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
It was announced that Bottas had re-signed for the team on a one-year deal in the build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix.
With the contracts of talents such as Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Raikkonen, Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez all coming to an end in 2018, Mercedes has chosen to keep its options open in the driver merry-go-round and have no drivers signed beyond next season.
Bottas moved to Mercedes for 2017 in the wake of the surprise retirement of reigning world champion Nico Rosberg and has performed well. After taking two wins for the German team at Russia and Austria it was expected that Bottas would be retained for a second season.
“I have to say I’m happy with this,” Bottas told Autosport regarding his one-year contract extension.
“I understand of course always the team’s view on things, and for sure the team also wants to have options open for the future.
“I understand 100%, but with this, I am very happy. It’s still better than the original contract that I had.
“It’s still as always before with my career in F1, it’s going to be completely down to me.
“If I perform well, there’s going to be no problem, and we can have a long future together.
“I believe in myself, I believe I’ll continue to grow as a driver and be a better driver.
“Even this season already, I was given this one-year opportunity to make it for a second year, so that gives me confidence.”
