---
title: "Valtteri Bottas Signs With Mercedes F1 Through 2018"
description: "The young Finn is signed on for another year with the Silver Arrow team."
date: "2017-09-13"
modified: "2017-09-13"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/14308/valtteri-bottas-signs-with-mercedes-f1-through-2018"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Formula One"
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
  - "Motorsport News"
  - "Valtteri Bottas"
---

# Valtteri Bottas Signs With Mercedes F1 Through 2018

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/09/valtteri-bottas-hero-image-3.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

After calling a [contract extension](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12549/bottas-contract-extension-is-almost-a-no-brainer-mercedes-f1-boss-says>) with [Valtteri Bottas](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/13240/valtteri-bottas-feels-he-could-still-win-2017-f1-title>) "almost a no-brainer", Mercedes has officially retained the talented young driver for the 2018 season. This comes after a strong first year with the AMG bunch, winning two races in 2017 and aiding Mercedes' efforts towards a substantial Constructors' Championship lead. He currently sits in third place for the [Drivers' Title](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/14275/sebastian-vettel-happy-with-championship-battle-says-easy-is-boring>) as well, placing behind teammate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

Bottas announced the deal on Twitter recently, showing that he'll be with the team for at least another year.

https://twitter.com/\_/status/907922493758873600

Team boss Toto Wolff had high praise for Bottas, [*Motorsport.com*](<https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-secures-mercedes-contract-for-2018-952398/>) reports, applauding him for his ability to step into his position and perform well from day one.

"We gave Valtteri a big challenge this year: joining the team at the eleventh hour, stepping up to the forefront of F1 and pairing with the sport's best driver as his teammate."

He then noted that his achievements were perhaps even more impressive, notching up his first victory [at Russia](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/9801/bottas-steals-russian-grand-prix-from-ferrari-scores-first-formula-one-victory>) and then one more at the [Austrian Grand Prix](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12312/valtteri-bottas-beats-out-vettel-to-win-austrian-grand-prix>).

"Overall, the balance of his performances and his upward trajectory made it a no-brainer for us to continue with him into 2018. For our team, the bonus factors are the respect and sportsmanship that have grown between our two drivers."

![message-editor%2F1505333027719-valtteribottasheroimage2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1505333027719-valtteribottasheroimage2.jpg>)
**Getty Images**

This will keep both Bottas' and Mercedes' options open for 2019, a year that's expected to be a hit for driver free agency. As the situation currently stands, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull will all have open seats come two years from now, making it interesting between the sport's top teams.

No news has been revealed from AMG on what its future plans include, but [expect Hamilton to sign](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/13990/lewis-hamilton-expects-to-re-sign-with-mercedes>) a big-time deal, keeping him with the crew at least until S[ebastian Vettel's contract](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/13842/ferrari-signs-sebastian-vettel-to-contract-extension-through-2020>) with Ferrari ends in 2020.

Bottas added: "I am honored and proud to continue to work with Mercedes in 2018 and to remain part of the Mercedes family."

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
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