Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Why Mercedes picked Bottas

Finally, Valtteri Bottas has been confirmed as Nico Rosberg's replacement at Mercedes. The Finn was one of several drivers under contract elsewhere for 2017, so what made him the best choice to partner Lewis Hamilton?

When Valtteri Bottas pulled into the pits to retire his Williams at the end of the sixth lap of last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he couldn't possibly have dreamed the next time he drives a Formula 1 car in anger will be for the best team on the grid, one that has dominated F1 for the past three seasons.

But as Bottas climbed from his broken car and headed home for the winter, Nico Rosberg was busy navigating the most difficult race of his life, knowing if he succeeded he would likely retire from F1 as its new world champion.

Previous article The real reason Red Bull holds the key to F1 2017
Next article Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz plays down F1 chances in early-2017

More from Ben Anderson

The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste

The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste

MISC General
The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model

How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model

Plus
Plus
RAD Radical
How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK

Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK

Plus
Plus
NTNL National
Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK
Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60

Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60

Plus
Plus
GT GT
Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60 Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60
How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations

How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations

Plus
Plus
GT GT
How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations
How Radical's latest machines fare on track

How Radical's latest machines fare on track

Plus
Plus
MISC General
How Radical's latest machines fare on track How Radical's latest machines fare on track
From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams

From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams

F1 Formula 1
From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams
Driving club racing's Revolution

Driving club racing's Revolution

Plus
Plus
NTNL National
Driving club racing's Revolution Driving club racing's Revolution

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe