Valterri Bottas Dismisses Having "Stress" Over Sebastian Vettel Switching To Mercedes In 2021

Valterri Bottas has come out to address the speculation that Mercedes will be replacing him with Sebastian Vettel by the end of the season and wants his fans to know that he is not having any "stress" over the rumour. 

Sebastian and Ferrari will part ways at the end of the 2020 season after deal renewal talks broke down between the two parties. The German driver has been replaced with Carlos Sainz who was signed to a three seasons deal and team up with Charles Leclerc in the grid from 2021.

Bottas described the speculation of Sebastian switching to Mercedes as "funny", a rumour that was sparked by the team's principal Toto Wolff during an interview with Sky F1 early this month. Wolff revealed his interest to discuss a move to the team with Sebastian and mentioned that they "owe it to a four-time champion not to come out and say straight away 'no'" to a chance to join Mercedes.

"I find it quite funny that with not even a single race done, there's been people getting my seat. It made me laugh! So there's no pressure from that side," Bottas told Sky F1 Vodcast.

Just as Lewis Hamilton, the Finn driver's contract will run out at the end of this season and revealed that he is having no "stress" over what might happen afterward. 

He added, "I have my clear goal for the season in my mind and that's it. Things will then sort themselves one way or another, whatever's going to happen. I've no stress about that at all."

The four-time champion has not been linked to any other team than Mercedes and that puts pressure on Bottas who risks losing his seat to the floating German driver next season. However, Hamilton will also be in talks with the team over contract renewal which Toto has indicated his interest to offer to the Brit.