Following another solid performance in yesterday's British GP, all signs appear to point to Valtteri Bottas extending his contract with Mercedes in 2018.
After achieving his second career win in Austria, Bottas delivered a second-place finish to the German squad at Silverstone in a race he started on the back foot following a five-place grid penalty.
The Finn is on a one-year contract with the Silver Arrows outfit, but with each passing race, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is convinced his driver's performance warrants keeping him on-board for next season.
"I'm really satisfied with Valtteri," Wolff told Finnish broadcaster C More at Silverstone.
Asked about Bottas and Mercedes for 2018, he added: "I think looking at his performance, it really is a no brainer.
"But it's not just about next year but also the years after. We have to put all the puzzle's pieces together.
"After the race in Budapest I will think about it some more on the beach," Wolff smiled.
Wolff's reference to the years after 2018 is an indication that Mercedes could make a move for Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso or another top driver for 2019 and beyond.
As for Bottas in 2018, Wolff said: "I think yes, we are 90 per cent ready."
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