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The one Hamilton-linked statistic that gives hope to Bottas

Hope comes in many forms for a Grand Prix driver, even when your team mate is a five-time world champion named Lewis Hamilton.

After a 2018 campaign in which he failed to win a single race, while Hamilton raked in 11 wins, Valtteri Bottas knows that 2019 could be a year of living dangerously at Mercedes.

Team boss Toto Wolff has already told the Finn where he needs to be this year in order to retain a chance of staying at the Silver Arrows outfit for 2020. And Bottas himself has vowed to raise his game after last season's disappointing under-performance.

Bottas insists past criticism will boost him in 2019

However, a curious Hamilton-linked statistic has popped up on our radar that offers a positive - albeit coincidental - outlook for Bottas.

Hamilton's first F1 team-mate - Fernando Alonso - was his team-mate for one season. His second F1 team-mate - Heikki Kovalainen - was his team-mate for two seasons.

His third F1 team-mate - Jenson Button - was his team-mate for three 3 season. And his fourth F1 team-mate - Nico Rosberg - was his team-mate for - you guessed it - four seasons!

The good news for Bottas is that the pattern puts him at Mercedes until the end of 2021.

The bad news is that it still leaves him with the most formidable opponent sitting on the other side of the Mercedes garage. Hang in there Val...

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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.