It's official: Mercedes has renewed Viktor Bottas' contract . The Finnish driver will remain with the team alongside Lewis Hamilton. Despite some ups and downs, he seems to have recovered somewhat in terms of performance since last year, managing to snatch some pole positions and victories from his teammate. While Lewis remains a step ahead, Bottas is no longer the one who was so far behind and seemed quite demoralized.
The Finn will stay at Mercedes for at least another season. He's been given an additional year to be present in F1 in 2021. After that, his options for continuing will be assessed. Furthermore, it was almost a foregone conclusion, since George Russell's renewal at Williams indicated that Bottas would remain at Mercedes. The driver market doesn't offer many options that are a good fit for the seat Valtteri currently occupies…
With Valtteri Bottas' contract renewed, the 2021 F1 grid continues to take shape. And frankly, there are few surprises left. The only remaining question is what will happen with Sergio Pérez: whether he'll find a seat or be left out. Pérez's options aren't straightforward. I doubt Red Bull/AlphaTauri would want a driver from outside their program, although they desperately need one given Albon's performance in some races and the current crisis within their driver development system. I don't know if he could end up at Sauber, where Kimi Räikkönen is expected to leave after the season, as rumors suggest, or if he could join Haas if they decide to let go of one of their drivers…
Based on what we know so far, the grid for F1 2021 would look like this:
*I have included some questions that remain to be confirmed. Also, some drivers are struggling to find a free seat for next year. For example, Nico Hülkenber is trying to get back into a car.
- Mercedes Benz: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas
- Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon?
- McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris
- Racing Point: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. Everything indicates that the signing of Vettel has not yet been confirmed due to Pérez's health situation, but as soon as this is corrected it will be announced imminently. Some reliable sources have seen him drive off in the boss's car and waving in the paddock...
- Renault: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon
- Alpha tauri: Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat?
- Alfa Romeo: Sergio Perez? and Antonio Giovinazzi
- Williams: George Russell and Nicholas Latifi
- Haas: Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen?