Bottas to stay at Mercedes in 2020

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters): Valtteri Bottas will stay at Mercedes for another year, the Formula One champions said on Thursday.

The 30-year-old Finn, who joined the team in 2017 after Nico Rosberg’s sudden retirement, was confirmed ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix as Formula One returned from its summer break on Thursday.

 “My performances have been getting better and better each year, and this is a great way to kick start the second half of 2019,” Bottas said in a statement.

 “My overall target is to become Formula One world champion.

 “From my experience with the team, Mercedes is the best option for me to achieve that goal in 2020.”

Bottas bounced back strongly this season after a disappointing 2018 by winning the first race in Australia.

Winless in 2018, he has taken two victories and a further seven podiums from 12 races this season.