I don’t care about next year – Bottas

VALTTERI Bottas insists he will not be replaced by George Russell this season – but admitted he has “no idea” and “does not care” if Mercedes retain him for 2022, writes Philip Duncan.

The Finn, whose contract with the Silver Arrows expires at the end of the season, heads into this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix 37 points adrift of team-mate Lewis Hamilton after just three rounds.

Mercedes junior driver Russell, 23, starred as Hamilton’s stand-in at last season’s Sakhir GP – denied victory by a poor Mercedes pit stop and puncture – and following Bottas’ troubled start to the new campaign, there are suggestions the Briton could earn promotion to the grid’s all-conquering team midway through the year.

But Bottas, 31, said: “I know I am not going to be replaced in the middle of the season. I have a contract for this year. From my side, there is no pressure. I know how things are and there is always (talk), but that is part of the sport.”

When asked if he expects to be kept on for a sixth-consecutive season with Mercedes, the Finn, above, replied: “I don’t know at this point. I have no idea and at the moment and I don’t care.

“I am focusing on this year and putting every single thought and every single bit of energy I have into that. It is early days and my focus is on the here and now and that is all that matters and that will bring a good future.”

Bottas entered the season with hopes he could challenge teammate Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the title.

He started on pole at the last round in Portugal, but was outpaced by both Hamilton and Verstappen before finishing third.