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• Bottas says Vettel not in contention for 2021 Merc seat
• Bottas not guaranteed of a 2021 drive
• George Russell in contention for Bottas' seat
Valtteri Bottas has been informed that he is not in competition with Sebastian Vettel for a seat in the 2021 Mercedes Formula 1 car.
Downside to all that, it still doesn't mean the race seat is his.
With Vettel's announcement that he's leaving Ferrari at the end of this season, Mercedes were tipped by many to sign the German.
Motorsport boss Toto Wolff said he could never say an outright "no" to signing a four-time World Champion, but it seems he has done just that.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Bottas revealed that Mercedes has told him that Vettel is not on their shortlist for 2021.
When asked about the speculation that Vettel's about to take his seat, he said: "No, it doesn't get to you. We've been very honest also with my team all the time, what's the situation, and how it's going to be contract-wise. I got a pretty straight message that no, they are not considering Seb.
"So I said fine, no worries then."
At least no worries about Vettel.
Russell on the cards
Wolff, though, has made it clear that at some point Mercedes needs to consider its long-term plans and those plans seem to involve junior driver George Russell.
It's not the first time that Bottas has had a junior knocking on his door with Esteban Ocon reportedly set to replace him for 2019 only for Mercedes to confirm the Finn.
READ: Pics and videos - Mercedes F1 back on track testing at Silverstone
Bottas said: "It's the same as every year for me. It's no different in any way than any other season for me. There are always talks, and the situation has been the same for me. I find it quite funny with not even a single race done, and there have been people getting my seat. It made me laugh a couple of times.
"There's no pressure from that side because I still have my clear goal for the season in my mind, and that's it. Things will then sort themselves, one way or another, whatever is going to happen. I have no stress about that at all."
