Mercedes boss Zetsche gives Bottas two thumbs up

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Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche says Mercedes is delighted with the team's driver pairing and the performance of Valtteri Bottas in particular.

The Finn enjoyed a good start to his career with Mercedes, winning two races in the first half of the season. But his performance fell into a slump thereafter as he struggled behind the wheel of his temperamental Silver Arrows.

Confident Bottas discovers how to 'get in the zone'

Bottas worked his way back to top form however achieving two successive pole positions and winning the last round of the championship in Abu Dhabi last Sunday dominant style.

Zetsche doesn't see any weaknesses in Mercedes' current driver line-up.

"We have proved that we can handle two strong drivers and provide entertainment on the TV screens," Zetsche told German broadcaster Sky.

"We won all that we could win this year, so I'm extremely satisfied with the drivers," he added.

"We won the constructors' championship, and that's only possible with two really strong drivers.

"Whether there's one or two tenths between them or one has more poles than the other, in the end that is the details," said Zetsche.

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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.