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Bottas one-year contract keeps Mercedes options open

Signing Valtteri Bottas was undoubtedly a complicated matter for Mercedes, and while the plum drive is his, it's believed he only gets it for one year.

It's rumored that the Finn's contract runs until the end of 2017, with options for an extension kicking in, or not, depending on Bottas level of performance. That's what Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hinted at yesterday afternoon.

"We have a couple of options," the Austrian told Sky Sports News HQ.

"We were caught back with Nico's decision to retire and we have some great junior drivers with Pascal [Wehrlein] and Esteban [Ocon] coming up the ranks.

"But they need a little bit more time, so for us it was key to keep the options open and Valtteri is very well aware of that. He needs to just perform and be quick and then the future can be his."

F1i lines up the 2017 grid

If the Finn fails to deliver, promoting one of Mercedes' junior drivers is not a given however.

Why? Because unfortunately for them, a few good other men may enter the fray, notably Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, both of which are in their final year of contract with their respective teams this season.

Regardless of where he ends the championship at the end of 2017, Bottas will likely be judged on a relative basis with Lewis Hamilton.

"Valtteri has all the ingredients and we haven't seen him in a car that's capable of challenging for championships.

"That's a different step, and some drivers have developed in the right direction and some have not. Certainly Valtteri can give him a run for his money."

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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.