Valtteri Bottas given F1 guarantee amid George Russell talk and Lewis Hamilton dominance

Valtteri Bottas still has the full backing of everyone at Mercedes, despite his failure to challenge Lewis Hamilton. That’s the verdict of team principal Toto Wolff.

Bottas’ position with the Silver Arrows has been the subject of speculation recently.

The Finnish ace has been with Mercedes since 2017, but has failed to properly compete with his team-mate, seven-time world champion Hamilton.

He’s provided good support for the Brit, but has only won nine Grands Prix in his time as his number two.

Bottas is under contract until the end of the 2021 season, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation over his position within the team.

George Russell was brought into the team for the Sakhir Grand Prix late this season when Hamilton tested positive for Covid-19, and looked impressive.

The youngster was on track to comfortably win the race and set the lap record, only to suffer a punctured tyre and ultimately finish in eighth position.

There have been rumours circling that Russell could be offered a long-term seat to replace Bottas at some point in the future.

But Wolff insisted he is still fully behind Bottas, and believes the Finn will be more eager than ever to win the Drivers’ Championship next year.