One year Bottas deal is strange - Salo

Former Formula One driver Mika Salo thinks that Mercedes' decision to sign Bottas on a one year deal is strange.

Bottas was announced yesterday afternoon that he would be driving for Mercedes in 2017, but reports are that the deal is only for a single year, with a mere 'option' for 2018.

"It is a strange solution, really strange," former Sauber and Ferrari driver Salo said.

"I don't know what's behind it. One year contracts are quite rare nowadays. Perhaps Mercedes wants to check that Valtteri does the job as he should," he added.

There are suggestions that Mercedes are keeping the door open for a much bigger and established name to enter the team such as Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.

Nevertheless, Salo believes the opportunity is a fantastic one for his compatriot.

"He has a winning car and the possibilities are endless," he said. "Everybody can see that Valtteri was the best choice for that job."

Salo also said squaring up against triple world champion Lewis Hamilton will be a tough task for Bottas.

"It is not an easy place to be," he said. "Lewis has been with his team for a long time, while Valtteri has been with his team his whole career and now has to learn how they (Mercedes) do everything."

"He has a car to fight for the world championship, but then he would have to beat Hamilton. It's really not easy," Salo insisted.

Fergal Walsh