More reports expecting Bottas contract extension but question Ocon Renault deal
F1 News
Valtteri Bottas looks set to be confirmed as a Mercedes driver for another season with L'Equipe reporting the deal could be announced this week. However, it has questioned whether the Ocon to Renault move will happen.
The mid-season break has seen countless rumours of where both drivers could end up but it now looks that the Finn will extend his contract. Ocon meanwhile had been reported to be set for a deal at French team Renault but that is now in doubt.
Bottas has had to play second fiddle to five-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton for his entire time at Mercedes. At the start of the season, it looked as if the Finn would mount a challenge for the title as he won two of the first four races but he has not won a race since Baku and it looks as if Hamilton will see out a sixth title with ease.
Many expected Ocon to replace Bottas with the Frenchman highly thought of in the F1 community. However, in recent days he has been linked with a move to Renault and before that Haas. However, L'Equipe report that the Renault deal largely depends on Nico Hulkenberg and whether he moves on from his current post, with Haas the most likely destination for the German.
They also expect the Bottas announcement to be made this week and he will hope to get his season back on track at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.