No Vettel for Mercedes in 2021: Bottas

Valtteri Bottas says he has been told by Mercedes it is not considering signing Sebastian Vettel for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Bottas not worried

Ferrari announced last month that four-time world champion Vettel would be leaving the team at the end of the year, replacing the German driver with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. It has left Vettel a free agent in the driver market for next year, leading to suggestions he could be signed by Mercedes to form an all-star line-up with six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff said last week the team could not discount a move for Vettel, but stressed its focus lay with current drivers Hamilton and Bottas, both of whom are out of contract at the end of the year.  

However, Valtteri shrugged them off and even let out a cold-hearted spoiler in the process. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Bottas confirmed that Vettel wasn’t on Mercedes’ radar.

“No, it doesn’t get to you,” Bottas said of the speculation in an interview with Sky Sports F1.

“We’ve been very honest also with my team all the time, what’s the situation, and how it’s going to be contract-wise.

“I got a pretty straight message that no, they are not considering Seb, so I said fine, no worries then.”

Vettel’s next move?

He further added :-

“It’s the same as every year for me. It’s no different in any way than any other season for me,” Bottas said.

“There are always talks, and the situation has been the same for me.

“I find it quite funny with not even a single race done, there’s been people getting my seat. It made me laugh a couple of times.

“There’s no pressure from that side, because I still have my clear goal for the season in my mind, and that’s it.

“Things will then sort themselves, one way or another, whatever is going to happen. I have no stress about that at all.”

Many reports suggested either Vettel or George Russell would replace the Finn at Mercedes in 2021. Moreover, some rumors hinted at Valtteri considering Renault and even Red Bull as potential options if things don’t work out.

But the biggest talking point from Bottas’ revelation is Vettel’s next move. It seems apparent that the German’s out of options, but we can only wait for now.