LONDON: Formula One team Mercedes confirmed on Wednesday that Valtteri Bottas has signed a new one-year deal and will remain Lewis Hamilton’s partner for the 2018 season. Bottas, who replaced world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes following the German’s shock retirement, has won two races this year and heads into Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix third in the standings, 41 points adrift of championship leader Hamilton. The 28-year-old Finn’s deal allows Mercedes to keep their options open, with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen both contracted at Red Bull until the end of 2018. Hamilton’s deal with Mercedes also expires at the end of next year, but the English driver is expected to sign a new long-term contract with the team. “I am honoured and proud to continue to work with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport in 2018 and to remain part of the Mercedes family,” Bottas said.

Source: New Strait Times September 13, 2017 12:33 UTC