Hamilton: 'Bottas has earned his place for the long term'

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Lewis Hamilton believes that team mate Valtteri Bottas has proven that he should remain a Mercedes driver for the long term.

Bottas joined the German outfit on a one-year contract, supporting the burden of proving his merits and an extension of his stay for 2018.

The Finn won his maiden Grand Prix in Russia, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisted it was too early for Mercedes to confirm its 2018 driver line-up.

Hamilton begs to disagree however.

"Within the Mercedes family he has earned his place for long term," Hamilton saidn in an interview with the official F1 website.

"I think Mercedes, generally, is the only team that really embraces the individuals that they work with, as far as I am aware.

"Particularly as a driver, you become a member of the family for the rest of your life. He is doing a great job, he has won a race already in his first year with the team.

Bottas in no rush to secure 2018 future

"He will continue to get stronger and he just needs the opportunity to do so."

On the eve of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the eighth round of the world championship, Hamilton trails arch-rival Sebastian Vettel by 12 points in the Drivers' standings.

The Brit is hopeful of over-running Vettel but insisted that more consistency will be required.

"Consistency is the key to winning a championship," said Hamilton.

"Up until now Sebastian with Ferrari has had the consistency to be able to win the championship.
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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.