Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsOpinion

Bottas could benefit from driver feud at Mercedes - Salo

Former F1 driver Mika Salo believes his countryman Valtteri Bottas could be the one to benefit from any renewed squabbles between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes.

Following Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff's warning to his drivers about unsettling the harmony inside the championship winning team, Salo says that should a dispute erupt, a shake-up would likely ensue, with either Hamilton or Rosberg being shown the door.

And Bottas could then step up to the mantle and join the German manufacturer's team.

"I hope that the Mercedes drivers continue their fight, one of them goes and Valtteri can move in," Salo told Finnish broadcaster MTV.

"It would be a place where Valtteri will finally be able to win races. His problem is that he has been at Williams throughout his career, even though they have been making quite good cars."

While we wouldn't encourage Bottas to be dependent on Salo's scenario, there is a feeling that the Finn may be growing impatient, and will endure one more year at Williams with the hope of finally entering the winner's circle this year.

An ambition expressed by Bottas himself during yesterday's launch of the team's new FW38 contender.

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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.