Bottas in favour of status quo at Mercedes

Unsurprisingly, Valtteri Bottas hopes Mercedes' driver-line-up remains intact for 2019, the Finn enjoying his working relationship with team mate Lewis Hamilton.

Both Bottas and Hamilton have yet to extend a deal with the Silver Arrows outfit for the future. The Finn's case will likely be assessed in the coming months while the four-time world champion's contract is as good as done according to team boss Toto Wolff.

Beyond his own fate for 2019, Bottas hopes Hamilton will remain at the Brackley squad where the three-time Grand Prix winner enjoys a harmonious relationship with the man sitting on the other side of the Merc garage.

Hamilton 'loving the challenge' of three-way title fight

"Of course, it would be nice that Lewis stays too, because I enjoy working with him," said Bottas.

"The fact that he has won four championships and me none pushes me to outdo myself.

"We work well together and that's why I would rather stay with Lewis on this team."

As for his own state of affairs, the 28-year-old is keeping his head down but believes he is on track to meet Mercedes' targets and secure a third year with the team.

"We had a chat with the team and we both expected performance gains compared to last year, this being my second season with the team, being on the pace everywhere and in how I would perform in general," he said.

"For the moment I've been meeting those targets, both for the team and for me, but that is no magic number, no fixed target."

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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.