Hamilton happy to partner Bottas again in 2019

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has expressed his pleasure at having Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas as his teammate once again in 2019.

This is the third time the drivers have partnered each other at the team, after Bottas was chosen to replace the retiring Nico Rosberg for the 2017 season.

Bottas had a tough season in 2018, and failed to win a single on his way to an eventual fifth place finish in last season's championship. Despite the poor result, Hamilton his happy that Mercedes opted to keep Bottas within the team.

"On the driving front, continuity is what works, " Hamilton commented. "We have a great pairing and the contribution Valtteri and I put together works, it's worked well for years and there's no reason to change it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Bottas, happy to take the time off in the winter break, has vowed to come back stronger than ever in 2019, having competed in his first professional rally over the winter break in Finland, and is determined to beat his five-time champion teammate.

"I'm ready to do what's necessary this year to achieve my goals, and if I have to work harder in some places, that's part of it," Bottas said.

"I only have one career, and if I always support instead of attack for myself, I will never reach my goals."