2021: Bottas to Stay With Mercedes, Vettel Closer to a Contract
Valtteri Bottas (30) has extended his contract with Mercedes for one more year with the team. He shared the exciting news on his Twitter account, making his stay in Mercedes for 2021 official. Bottas joined the team in 2017 after Nico Rosberg (2016 driver’s world champion) announced his unexpected retirement from the sport. Valtteri, in partnership with Lewis Hamilton, has earned for Mercedes three constructor’s championships, and this season the two of them are looking stronger than ever.
Multiple rumors and speculations kept on linking Sebastian Vettel to Mercedes, following the German’s announcement about leaving Ferrari at the end of 2020. However, Bottas’ contract with Mercedes further confirms that the team does not wish to make any changes to their driver’s line up. At this point, hiring another top-tier champion could potentially start a “driver war” within the team, which is something that Mercedes would likely try to avoid.
Nevertheless, Sebastian Vettel’s name is far from being forgotten, when it comes to the 2021 season drivers’ market. Latest reports state that Vettel has been spotted in a car with Racing Point’s CEO and Team Principal, Otmar Szafnauer. Vettel confirmed his meeting with Szafnauer, but avoided disclosing any official information. He said, “I think as I’ve always mentioned, the most important is that I’m happy with my choice. Time will tell what the choice is and then go from there. So I’m not too stressed about it.”
Vettel has been pointed as the most likely replacement of Sergio Perez in Racing Point for next year. Although Sergio does have a contract with them for at least one more season, the Aston Martin rebranding of the team has sparked multiple topics of discussion, including Perez’ potential departure. The car has been extremely competitive in 2020 so far, which could only appeal to Sebastian Vettel even more in his career decisions. Ultimately, if the German wanted a contract with Aston Martin, he would most surely get one over Perez.
SkullKing Sports will continue to follow and keep you posted on any official statements by either Sebastian or the Racing Point team.
Recommended for you
