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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admits that the situation surrounding the contract of Valtteri Bottas is concerning. Bottas signed with the Silver Arrows in January, replacing world champion Nico Rosberg who announced his retirement after winning the world championship in 2016.
Bottas was only signed on a one-year deal which raised many eyebrows. The 2018 market is wide open with many top-notch drivers out of contract, including Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
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"Of course it's an uncomfortable situation for him with quite some pressure," Wolff said. "When we decided to make Valtteri the offer, he knew that we would be taking our time with the decision going forward because the driver market is more open in 2018 and beyond – 2018 and 2019.
"That's why we will not rush into a decision but continue to work with him and see how that pans out. But general, y the view of the team is that he's done a good job.
"The call he received was pretty late, he's driving against one of the best drivers of Formula 1 that has been with the team in his fifth season and he's had a pole position, won a race in Sochi in a very dominant way and he's had the more difficult races. But overall his performance on-track and the way he has integrated with the team was very positive."
Fergal Walsh
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Decisions need to be made VERY soon