Mika Salo fears Valtteri Bottas could lose Mercedes chance

Mika Salo says Valtteri Bottas' situation with Mercedes and Williams at the moment reminds him of one he encountered during his career with Ferrari.

The Finn was wanted but the Italian team to partner Michael Schumacher in 1996, but due to a binding contract with Tyrrell, the opportunity fell away - something he fears could also happen with Bottas.

Bottas is currently Mercedes' number one choice to replace Nico Rosberg after the recently-crowned world champion opted to retire.

"Basically my situation then was the same as Valtteri's now," Salo told the Turun Sanomat. "Tyrrell exercised the option in our agreement and I couldn't get out of it."

However, the doesn't mean he is ruling out the switch for Bottas, recalling the time McLaren and Mercedes went to great lengths to get Kimi Raikkonen out of his contract with Sauber in 2001.

"Mercedes paid for the entire contract and Sauber got a whole lot of money including a row of transporter trucks," Salo recalled.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Finland
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (36)
  • Place of b. Nastola, Finland
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar