Mercedes reportedly moving towards Valtteri Bottas axing

Mercedes is reportedly moving to dump star Valtteri Bottas in a dramatic summer showdown that will send shockwaves across the grid.

It’s getting very interesting in the Mercedes garage.

Valtteri Bottas has reportedly lost his advantage on rising star Esteban Ocon, leaving Mercedes with a gut-wrenching decision to axe the Finnish racer.

Despite holding onto second spot in the Formula 1 world championship heading into the summer break, Bottas is reportedly now in an uphill battle to hold onto his seat at Mercedes leaving him out of contract and possibly without a drive in 2020.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff conceded this weekend the team has a difficult decision to make with Bottas failing to demand a contract extension with his recent performances.

He endured a nightmare Hungarian Grand Prix where he made contact with Ferrari’s Charles LeCerc in the opening lap, forcing him to pit to replace his front wing.

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He was at one point dead last on the timesheets but recovered to finish eighth.

His nightmare stood out alongside teammate Lewis Hamilton’s masterful drive past Max Verstappen to win the race.

It has seen him drop 62 points behind Hamilton in the championship standings and has left the door wide open for Ocon to prove he is the man to drive alongside the world champion next year.

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 year, Wolff has made no secret that Ocon is a real option to replace Bottas next year.

Valtteri Bottas’ race was over after the first three turns.

Now Mercedes are beginning to put their cards on the table with the two drivers locked in a shootout to be Hamilton’s teammate in 2020.

“We have a top driver in Valtteri, we are aware of that,” Wolff told German newspaper Die Welt.

“But we also have a young, talented driver in Ocon. He deserves a place in Formula 1 as well.

“If there was only one good driver, it would be easy. But that’s not the way it is. They both deserve a chance at Mercedes.”

Bottas’ potential demotion will send shockwaves around the grid with the Finnish star potentially looking to steal someone else’s seat at a rival team.

It also leaves the door slightly open for Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, who reportedly has a contract clause that would allow him to break his contract with Renault if Mercedes or Ferrari comes knocking.

Former world champion and Mercedes star Nico Rosberg said in commentary for the German broadcast of the Hungarian Grand Prix that Mercedes insiders have told him that Ocon is now in front and likely to be installed as Hamilton’s teammate for next year.

Ocon also said he expects to hear from Mercedes about their decision before the next Grand Prix in Belgium on September 1.

“We will see what will happen. I will have more answers after Budapest,” Ocon said.

“It’s clear that it’s going to be a break where my phone will be heating up a lot.

Valterri Bottas admits his head is on the chopping block.

“But as long as there are things happening and people talking about me, it’s a good thing.

“What I really hope for is to find a competitive car.

“My dream is always to win titles and races, so I want to come back as soon as possible.”

Bottas admitted his mistakes in Budapest and the previous week when he crashed out of the German Grand Prix have come at a bad time.

“When contract-wise you’re on the limit it never helps. Some people might think that some drivers perform better under pressure, when things are on the limit, but for me it doesn’t help,” Bottas said.

“It will be nice to hear some news when the team decides what it wants to do.”

Meanwhile, Bottas said LeClerc’s early contact was “completely unnecessary” after the Ferrari star appeared to make a late move across the racing line while under breaking heading into a turn.

Bottas ended up jamming into the back of his Ferrari.

“But then suddenly he swept across and for me it was too late to react,” he said.

“I love hard racing, that’s for sure, but that was completely unnecessary, and for sure compromised my race.

“He was lucky enough not to get a puncture. That’s not how it should be.”