Bottas claims it's too early to talk about a 2018 contract

Valtteri Bottas has stated that it is simply too early to be discussing a contract for next season. Bottas joined Mercedes at the start of 2017 as has since picked up his first pole position and victory. He is currently on a one-year deal with the Silver Arrows.

While it is unclear what expectations Mercedes had for the Finn at the start of the season, Bottas sits 36 points behind teammate Lewis Hamilton after seven rounds of the world championship. He revealed that he would love to stay at the Brackley-based team in 2018.

"Of course I hope to stay at Mercedes," Italy's Sky broadcaster quotes the 27-year-old as saying. "But it's still too early to talk about it. I'm thinking about doing well day by day, race by race so I'm focusing on the present. If I do well in the future then it will be downhill."

One big happy family

From 2014 to 2016, while Mercedes dominated the sport, there was always high tensions between Lewis Hamilton and 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg. Rosberg retired after claiming his title, and much calmer emotions have come from Mercedes in 2017.

"We will get to know each other better during the season, because before this year I didn't know Lewis well," Bottas said. "We are definitely very different. I like to stay in a calm environment, at home with my family. I care very much about my privacy, while Lewis is more social and good around people.

"But we have a very professional relationship and respect, but at the same time we want to beat each other on the track. We accept this and can work together well. I think there's a great team spirit."

As for Mercedes' 2017 season, Bottas said he is happy about how the team fought back in Canada after a more difficult outing in Monaco: "The season is still very long," he said, "but the main thing was to be back after Monaco where Ferrari was clearly quicker than us.

"We improved a lot after Monaco, making good progress and finding a better setup and also with the tyres. We're expecting a very close fight in the championship, so every little progress is very important."

Fergal Walsh