Mercedes has confirmed that it has retained Valtteri Bottas for the 2020 Formula 1 season, completing the team’s driver line-up.
Bottas joined World Champions Mercedes in 2017 as a replacement for Nico Rosberg and placed third in the standings, before slipping to a win-less fifth in a difficult 2018.
Bottas signed a one-year extension for 2019, with an option for 2020, and Mercedes has now activated that element of the contract in order to retain the Finn’s services.
Bottas holds second place in the championship, 62 points behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton, with two victories and four pole positions to his name this season.
Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes runs until the end of 2020.
Mercedes had been deliberating over whether to retain Bottas or to promote reserve driver and long-term protégé Esteban Ocon to a race seat.
The marque has now confirmed that Bottas will stay for 2020, while Ocon is expected to join Renault.
"I am very happy and proud to be part of the team for a fourth season and wish to thank every team member and the board of Mercedes for their trust and belief in me," said Bottas.
"My performances have been getting better and better each year, and this is a great way to kick start the second half of 2019.
"My overall target is to become Formula One world champion. I believe that on paper, and from my experience with the team, Mercedes is the best option for me to achieve that goal in 2020.
"We have nine races to go this season and I am determined to keep improving at every one of them. Now, all my thoughts are on Spa and delivering a strong performance with the team this weekend."
Contracted drivers for 2020:
Mercedes: 44 Lewis Hamilton / 77 Valtteri Bottas
Ferrari: 5 Sebastian Vettel / 16 Charles Leclerc
Red Bull: 33 Max Verstappen / TBC
McLaren: 55 Carlos Sainz Jr. / 4 Lando Norris
Renault: 3 Daniel Ricciardo / TBC
Alfa Romeo: 7 Kimi Raikkonen / TBC
Racing Point: TBC / TBC
Toro Rosso: TBC / TBC
Haas: 20 Kevin Magnussen / TBC
Williams: 63 George Russell / TBC
