"We were all the time very honest to each other about the contract situation, and I have the clear answer: no, you don't deal with Seb," said the 30-year-old Finn, the British channel Sky Sports. Vettel is leaving the Ferrari Team at the end of this year and has still not made any new employer in the formula 1. For weeks, there is speculation that he could move to Mercedes.

"silver arrow" team boss Toto Wolff is not excluded in the least, entirely. "The Talent and personality he is someone I would not immediately say no," said the Austrian, and Vettel (32) as the "outsider candidate" in a Cockpit when the industry leader referred to.

But Mercedes is, according to Wolff first of all, loyal to his master drivers, Lewis Hamilton (35), and Bottas. The contracts of the two pilots run at the end of the year. Wolff wants to wait before further negotiations, the Start of the new season on may 5. July in Austria to begin.

"for me It is the same every year," said Bottas to persistent rumors of his replacement at Mercedes. He find it "funny" that his future was speculated, although this year due to the Corona pandemic, yet no race has been. "There is no pressure from this side. I have clear goals for this season. Things will work out then one way or the other by itself,“ said Bottas. The Vice-world champion driving for 2017 Mercedes.