Bottas reveals what he is seeking from next Formula 1 deal

Valtteri Bottas has revealed he is seeking a multi-year contract for the first time in his F1 career ahead of an anticipated move away from Mercedes.

Bottas is fully expected to join Alfa Romeo, with an announcement likely at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix, replacing fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen who declared this week he will retire from F1 at the end of this season.

Over the years, both previously with Williams and during his time with Mercedes, the 32-year-old has operated on rolling one-year deals.

Asked as to what he was looking for from any agreement on this occasion, Bottas replied: "A multi-year contract would be nice. That's something I've never had before in Formula 1.

"That way I could definitely give full commitment to the team, not just that year but knowing the work continues.

"It needs to be challenging, it needs to be exciting, it needs to be fun, and in an atmosphere I really enjoy working with.

"I think those are really the main things I'm looking for, but as I've said earlier, I still have a good few years in Formula 1, and I really want to continue in Formula 1, for sure."

Asked for an update on his future, Bottas added: "I don't want to say much more but things are going in the right direction and I'm happy and I'm excited."

Raikkonen "a bit of a legend"

In the wake of Raikkonen's announced exit, Bottas has revealed F1 will be a losing a star who he looked up to during his own formative racing years.

"As he said himself, nothing lasts forever, and eventually there is time for something new," said Bottas.

"He has had an impressive and long career in Formula 1, one of the longest, if not the longest.

"For sure, he had an impact on me as a youngster. I was following him closely when he started in Formula 1, following him when he won the world championship.

"At that time, I was doing my first season in single-seaters in Formula Renault when he won his first title with Ferrari.

"He is obviously a big star in Finland, a bit of a legend. It was always good fun to watch him, and it's also been nice racing with him.

"He is one of the drivers when you race, you feel quite comfortable going wheel to wheel, and he has always had good respect to his competition, and that's the way I like racing as well."

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