Musical chairs: the 2019 driver line-up takes shape

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 and Valtteri Bottas

CONFIRMED

Lewis Hamilton
At the start of the season we were told that Lewis Hamilton's contract extension was a mere formality. In fact it didn't officially happen until July, giving rise to rumours of backstage delays and disagreements. But that's all in the past now and Hamilton will remain at Brackley until at last the end of 2020, and the confirmation was a significant part of the driver puzzle falling into place that allowed other decisions to be made.

Valtteri Bottas
One of those decisions was the re-signing of Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton's team mate. He's only got a one-year extension, but there's an option for 2020 as well and we wouldn't be surprised to see that picked up in due course as he and Hamilton make for an effective partnership - and a welcome harmonious one, which is undoubtedly music to team boss Toto Wolff''s ears after the discord of the Hamilton/Rosberg years.