Valtteri Bottas is Keen to Keep Ocon Away from his Seat

After a dismal 2018 Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is on a quest for redemption now. Back in 2017, team principal Toto Wolff left it as late as September to announce a contract extension. However, in 2018, the decision came early, for a single-year contract for Valtteri Bottas.

Now, Bottas is hoping for another early contract for the 2020 season from Toto Wolff, according to Motorsport.com. With an excellent start to the season, and the looming threat of reserve driver, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas had everything to lose.

Last year, Valtteri Bottas dropped the ball very early on and was soon relegated to wingman. So, even when Bottas was in a position to take victory, when the orders from the head honchos came, he was forced to comply.

But now, with his mojo regained and him performing spectacularly, things are looking up. A win at the season-opening Australian GP and back-to-back second places, is certainly enough proof.

Meanwhile, Ocon is waiting in the wings and ready to step in in case of a slip up from Valtteri Bottas. The French driver was drafted in as a Mercedes reserve after losing his Racing Point seat to Lance Stroll.

Now, the 22-year old is eager to get back into a Formula 1 racing seat in the near future. Toto Wolff has assured Ocon that he will get a chance in a racing seat very very soon. Interestingly, he was close to a seat at Williams Racing, taking what would have been Robert Kubica’s seat. But instead, he elected to back out and let the Pole take his chance in the Grove-based team.

According to Wolff, “It was felt it would be a backward step in his career trajectory”. Seeing how badly the Williams teams is struggling, it looks to be the right call for the French driver.