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Wolff lays it out for Bottas, to keep his seat at Mercedes

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has given Valtteri Bottas a target to meet if the Finn is to remain with the German squad beyond 2019.

Bottas enjoyed a good start to his campaign last year, his consistency helping him establish himself early on as a contender for the title.

But misfortune and under-performance saw the Mercedes driver progressively distanced over the summer by team mate Lewis Hamilton, to the point where Bottas was relegated to a support role at the Silver Arrows outfit.

While recognizing his driver's run of bad luck in 2018, Wolff insists that Bottas must step up his performance this year, especially with Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon waiting in the wings.

"Valtteri knows exactly where he needs to be next year," said Wolff. "He needs to have all the bad luck gone and perform on a level with Lewis.

"That is what is needed for the 2020 year. He knows very well that, and he has that in him."

Racing on a par with his five-time world champion team mate will be a tall order for Bottas with Hamilton expecting to also raise his game and sustain his momentum.

©Mercedes

But Wolff is convinced the Finn is capable of stepping up to the next level and giving Hamilton a proper run for his money.

"Beating a five-time world champion at the peak of his activity, peak of his performance, is going to be very difficult and Valtteri knows that. But I think that he has it in him.

"I think that he can win – he has proven it this year on a few occasions, but he had bad luck or was in a position where he could not win.

"I think if that turns into a positive momentum that is actually driving for the championship, I think that Valtteri can 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.

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