Bottas: Mercedes F1 contract talks "moving in the right direction"

Sources indicated to Autosport this week that Bottas is set to remain with Mercedes beyond the end of the year after agreeing a new deal in principle.

A further indication that Bottas will remain with Mercedes arrived on Thursday when Williams confirmed that George Russell would be remaining with the team next year.

Russell is a Mercedes junior driver, and had been tipped as the only realistic candidate to replace Bottas, but will spend a third year with Williams in 2021.

Asked by Autosport on how talks with Mercedes were progressing, Bottas said that while nothing had been signed, they were developing positively.

"I can say that we have started talking about it, because I think we all realised that time actually goes quick with these triple-headers, and [it's a] pretty intense schedule for all of us," Bottas said.

"But obviously nothing is signed yet, but I think things are moving in the right direction.

"The main thing as I said last weekend is to keep focused on the championship. There's big things to be achieved this year, so keep the focus on that, and I'm sure things will move on eventually.

"Of course from the driver's side, if things drag on, it's not nice.

"But we've only done two races, so it's OK. There's no big panic or rush."

Current drivers' championship leader Bottas said in pre-season that he wanted a deal to be sorted sooner than last year, when talks dragged on until August and became a distraction in his title bid.

Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017 as a late replacement for world champion Nico Rosberg, and has formed a strong partnership with Lewis Hamilton at the team over the past four seasons, contributing to three constructors' title wins.

Hamilton spoke warmly of Bottas' growth when asked if he saw any difference in his team-mate this year.

"Every year I see Valtteri continue to grow as a racing driver, but also as a team player, and as a man," Hamilton said.

"Naturally you're going to see growth. He discovers as we all do the strengths and weaknesses through the year, we analyse it, and we work on it moving forwards.

"I think you're seeing a fitter, more focused driver this year, and I think that's great.

"I continue to enjoy working with him, and with the respect that we have continues to grow I would say."