According to the latest reports from Motorsport-total.com, Valtteri Bottas is in touch with Renault over a potential deal for 2021. With Daniel Ricciardo leaving, Renault needs a top driver to lead the team from next season. Bottas’ contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season and the Finn could be heading towards the French team. These are rumors, so treat them accordingly.

Renault interested in Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes has no reason to change its current driver lineup of Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. The pair get along very well, understand their roles and goals within the team, and satisfy their objectives. As teammates, Bottas and Hamilton have helped Mercedes secure every single Constructors’ Championship. Lewis may have won the World Championships but Bottas played an important role in helping the team rack up those points.

Not to mention, Valtteri’s a race winner and finished a commendable second in the Drivers’ Championship last year. He didn’t quite beat Lewis but came respectably close. As a result, there’s no denying the Finn’s ability as a fantastic racing driver.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

News from the rumor mill suggests Bottas’ manager is in talks with Cyril Abiteboul over a potential deal from 2021 and beyond.

Bottas could be the perfect driver to fill in Ricciardo’s shoes. He’s experienced, calm and can handle the pressure of driving for a top team. More importantly, he does much lesser damage financially, salary-wise. He’s not quite a Lewis Hamilton or a Max Verstappen type of driver, but Renault doesn’t necessarily need that.

That begs the question, who would Mercedes replace Bottas with? Going by recent rumors, Toto Wolff wants George Russell driving a Silver Arrow in 2021. Mercedes hasn’t really used its junior program effectively and this could be the perfect time to get Russell in. With an experienced and World Champion driver like Lewis by his side, George could sharpen his abilities as a racing driver and get used to the workings of the Brackley outfit.

Even if Russell struggles initially, Mercedes can bank on Hamilton to deliver and bring home Championships just like before. With the regulations staying the same, Mercedes can afford to gamble on the 22-year-old in 2021.