All is well with Hamilton and Bottas, but that could change - Lauda

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Niki Lauda says he has been impressed with how Mercedes' new recruit Valtteri Bottas has settled in so far with the German squad.

The team's non-executive chairman believes the Finn is still behind Lewis Hamilton in terms of outright speed but his faculty of adaptation has pleased the F1 legend.

"My first impression is very good," Lauda told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

"He is a Finn so he doesn't talk much, but he works hard to get used to the team. I'm impressed how quickly he could get used to the car."

The relationship between Bottas and his triple world champion team mate is also off to a good start but that could change warns Lauda if the performance gap between the two men closes.

"Now, at the beginning, everything is simple," said Lauda.

"Lewis has everything in his hands and Bottas is getting used to the team.

"Now we wait for the first races to see how they get along, what the gaps are and how everything develops.

"We don't know this yet," he admitted.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.