F1 2019 | Valtteri Bottas to stay at Mercedes as Esteban Ocon finds new home

Aussie Daniel Ricciardo is set to have a new teammate next year after the Formula One’s mid-season break saw a big shift.

Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo will have a new teammate next year after two of the biggest questions in the sport were finally answered.

Mercedes had a choice between two drivers with Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon battling for one spot alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2020.

After Bottas’s horror Hungarian Grand Prix performance, which saw him drop to dead last at one point before finishing eighth, it appeared as if Mercedes might look elsewhere.

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The Silver Arrows announced late last night they were sticking with Bottas as Hamilton’s teammate again next season.

Ocon signed a long-term deal with Mercedes in 2016, but was loaned out to Force India before missing out on a seat in 2019 after the team’s ownership restructure.

Driving solely as a reserve for Mercedes this season, Wolff made no secret that Ocon was a real option to replace Bottas next year.

But the Finnish driver retained his spot with the 22-year-old Ocon heading to Renault to join Ricciardo.

RELATED: Ricciardo’s hilarious career change

Ocon signed a two-year contract, which forces Nico Hulkenberg out of the French team.

Ocon was previously a Renault driver, coming up through the ranks with the team before signing with Mercedes.

Esteban Ocon in the old colours again.

“First and foremost, I am very proud to become a Renault driver,” Ocon said. “I have grown up at Enstone, starting with Lotus in 2010 and then with Renault. I am very attached to this team and everyone who works there; they are the ones who opened the doors of top level motorsport for me.

“Secondly, I am pleased that a team with big ambitions has entrusted me with the opportunity to once again demonstrate my skills at the highest level of F1. It is a responsibility I take very seriously. The confidence they have in me to help the progression of the team is a very positive pressure and I look forward to giving the best of myself.”

Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul said Ocon had tasted the highs and lows of the sport and he was looking forward to working with the Frenchman over the next two years.

Hulkenberg, who signed with Renault in 2017, is now without a drive, although Haas are rumoured to be interested in him as a swap for Romain Grosjean.

Abiteboul thanked Hulkenberg for his commitment to Renault and helping the team claim the mantle of “the best of the rest” behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull in 2018.

“I wish to thank Nico for his phenomenal involvement and massive contribution to our progress over the past three seasons,” he said. “When Nico decided to join us, the team was ninth. He brought us to fourth place last year, and was classified seventh in the drivers’ championship.

“The imminent end of his contract made this decision a difficult one as Nico has been a pillar of this progress. The first part of this season has been more challenging, but I know we can count on him and deliver together throughout the second half of the year.”

Daniel Ricciardo has a new teammate.

Hulkenberg took to social media to express his sadness at moving on from Renault.

He also mentioned “there is nothing to announce at the moment” in regards to his plans for next season.

It's a pity that the journey with Renault will end after the season, especially as we haven't been able to reach our goals yet. We had hoped to take another step forward this season, but unfortunately we haven't managed that so far. pic.twitter.com/uj24YC7A6s

— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) August 29, 2019

.. but nevertheless, I'll keep my focus and try to reach the maximum success for our team in the remaining races!

With regard to 2020, I am confident to find a good solution, but there is nothing to announce at the moment.

📸 @KymIllman

— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) August 29, 2019

There were reports of Ocon’s move to Renault last week being held up as Renault wanted to make sure Hulkenberg could secure another seat.

As for Bottas, the 30-year-old said he was eager to thank Mercedes for retaining him with a good performance at Spa at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.

“I am very happy and proud to be part of the team for a fourth season and wish to thank every team member and the board of Mercedes for their trust and belief in me,” said Bottas.

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

“My overall target is to become Formula 1 world champion. I believe that on paper, and from my experience with the team, Mercedes is the best option for me to achieve that goal in 2020.

“We have nine races to go this season and I am determined to keep improving at every one of them.”

ALFA ROMEO ADD BELGIAN CONFUSION

Kimi Raikkonen could be asleep behind those glasses.

The Belgian Grand Prix looked to have another big story with Marcus Ericsson called up on standby by Alfa Romeo.

It appeared to many to be to replace Antonio Giovinazzi, who has scored just one point this season.

Ericsson was dropped last season for Giovinazzi and was supposed to be racing IndyCars until the call up to F1.

However, a leg injury for Kimi Raikkonen appears to be the problem, although as yet, Alfa Romeo have not confirmed whether either driver will be sitting out.

They did welcome Marcus to Spa though.

Kimi is back, Antonio is back and they look forward to racing in Spa... and look who’s also with us this time, it’s Marcus! 🙌🏻👀 @Ericsson_Marcus #BelgianGP #AlfaRomeoRacing #GetCloser pic.twitter.com/mvMhqMKRES

— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) August 29, 2019

Raikkonen cleared the air on Thursday, revealing he pulled a muscle during the break.

“I pulled a muscle and that’s about it — we will see what happens,” Raikkonen told media gathered in the Spa paddock on Thursday.

“Obviously we need to have some back up plans, it would be stupid not to have our third driver in case I couldn’t be driving in the worst-case scenario.

“There’s a reason why the team has a third driver if something happens. I think it’s a normal story.

“It’s a difficult situation for him also because he had a race but that’s how it is.”

In true Kimi style, he answered how he got the injury.

“Sport. I always said it is more dangerous — drinking is probably safer,” he said. “Usually you don’t get injured, you just get hungover.”