Brundle not betting against Bottas for the title

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Following his flawless performance in Sunday's Russian GP, Valtteri Bottas should not be discarded as a challenger for the world title, says Sky F1's Martin Brundle.

The former Grand Prix driver turned commentator watched the Finn as he built his momentum with Mercedes in the first three races of the season.

For Brundle, the quiet man form Nastola, Finland, is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.

"Can Bottas be 2017 World Champion to break through the ultimate ceiling? We don't know yet," Brundle wrote in his post-Gran Prix column for Sky F1.

"The true champions barely falter over a season, they deliver pretty much all day every day, and we wait to see how he fares in that respect.

"But I wouldn't bet against it."

Lauda doesn't see Alonso at Mercedes anytime soon

But Brundle also underlined the potential conundrum Mercedes may be facing in the near future.

"Now Mercedes have a problem," he wrote.

" Points and performance wise Ferrari have a dominant driver emerging in their team.

"With Hamilton mustering fourth place and now nursing only a 10-point advantage over his emerging and increasingly confident team-mate, and with a one-point lead in the Constructors' title, how are they going to play that?"

Like many, including Sebastian Vettel, Brundle is hoping that Red Bull racing will soon be joining the fight up front.

"Thankfully Merc and Ferrari are close, and there could be a great multi-car season long battle in the midfield, but we desperately need Red Bull to leave the no-man's land in the middle and join the podium party.

"Get ready to hear the words 'upgrade', 'B-Spec', 'pleasantly surprised', 'a little disappointed', 'potential' and 'correlation' when all the new carbon fibre arrives in Barcelona."

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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.