I Issued an Ultimatum to Toto Wolff, Valtteri Bottas Reveals His Mercedes F1 Exit Talk

When it was announced that Valtteri Bottas was leaving Mercedes at the end of the season to join Alfa Romeo, fans already knew that George Russell was the incoming driver. However, the Finnish driver had hope that he could continue his journey with the Silver Arrows but isn’t bitter that wasn’t the case.

The number 77 driver revealed that he had a serious talk with team principal, Toto Wolff about his future at the Brackley-based squad. However, Wolff came straight to the point and told Bottas that he couldn’t get the deal he wanted.

Valtteri Bottas laid everything on the table for his new Mercedes contract

Bottas was in the last year of his contract with Mercedes, and the F1 community already knew that his time at the Silver Arrows was limited. Nevertheless, Valtteri wanted to extend his deal, but Wolff couldn’t promise the Finn a contract that he wanted.

Speaking on an episode of the podcast, Beyond the Grid, “It was honestly like we agreed, it was not like he told me, he knew that at some point, that we need to make decisions, and already I had decided myself that, If I can’t get two years or more at Mercedes. I am definitely gonna go for something new, and it was a simple question, “Can he offer me more than two years or more, and he said, “No he can’t at this moment”, and then it was quite easy.”

“Then yeah, obviously it was very natural to get George in the car because he’s been kind of part of the team for a long time. And, he’s a new generation, and that’s also how the sport is evolving, and Mercedes had this young driver programme, and George has been in that for a long time. And for them to waste that opportunity, you know in case he obviously develops further and becomes more experience and even quicker, they didn’t want to miss the opportunity. So for me it’s all good, for me I am really happy,” Bottas concluded.

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Can Bottas redeem himself at Interlagos?

The Finn was starting on pole position for the Mexican Grand Prix and was optimistic of getting a win. However, on the first lap itself, carnage ensued. He was hit by the McLaren of Daniel Ricciardo, which made him fall down the pecking order. As the chequered flag brought the race to an end, Bottas finished fifteenth, going home empty-handed.

Now with the Brazilian GP just a few days away, the Mercedes driver will be hoping to bounce back at Interlagos, with the aim to bag some points for the Silver Arrows, wishing to extend their lead in the constructor’s championship.

Read More: Valtteri Bottas Opens Up on the Possibility of a Ferrari F1 Drive After Cutting All Ties With Mercedes