Valtteri Bottas

Did Valtteri Bottas just lose his Mercedes seat?

Matthew Scott Sunday 4 August 2019 16:27

Did Valtteri Bottas just lose his Mercedes seat?

Valtteri Bottas made a shocking start to the Hungarian Grand Prix, dropping to last place after making contact with team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to necessitate a front-wing change.

It was the last thing that Bottas needed in a crucial outing for his future, as Mercedes plot who to partner Lewis Hamilton with in 2020.

Toto Wolff has confirmed that the choice is between Bottas and reserve driver Esteban Ocon.

Having outqualified Hamilton to start second at the Hungaroring, Bottas might have hoped for a win to close some of the 41-point deficit to Hamilton in the drivers' championship.

However, the Finn had a shocking opening lap, locking up twice in the first few corners, as well as damaging his tyres in close combat with his stable-mate, and the Ferrari of Leclerc, who chopped in front of him coming out of Turn 4.

With paddock rumours swirling that Wolff will take Bottas' most recent performances in mind when assessing whether to keep Bottas or not, his poor start in Budapest may just cost him his race seat at the Silver Arrows.

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Did Valtteri Bottas just lose his Mercedes seat?

Did Valtteri Bottas just lose his Mercedes seat?