Bottas: Hamilton told me he wants me to stay

Hamilton inked an extension to his deal last month and is sure to have known at the time what Mercedes plans were for his teammate. Why the delay by Wolff is anyone's guess?

Either way, it will be Bottas or George Russell... some smart money is on a swap with the latter getting the golden ticket and the former sent back to Williams oblivion.

Asked by MTV Sport if he knew what his plans were for next year, Bottas replied: "Unfortunately, there is nothing to say yet and I don't think there will be any news for the foreseeable future but yes, thoat will become clear in time.

"Everything is heading in the right direction," insisted the Finn who has been under fire for a bad first half to his 2021 campaign, his worst as a Mercedes driver, while the rest of the world calls for Russell to be given his break.

While Lewis is likely to know who his teammate is for next year keeping Bottas on as a no-pressure, a hassle-free partner would suit Lewis down to the ground.

But if it was the young Williams driver, the World Champ would simply get on with it and relish the new challenge. He has always said he doers not mind who drives the sister car, he simply wants to beat them.

But, put it this way, if Lewis had a choice, it would not be Goerge.

Bottas said as much: "Lewis has told me that he wants me to remain his teammate. We get on well. The fact is that drivers have little influence on it. Another, larger party will eventually make a decision."

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Finn has work to do after a below-par 2021 thus far. Winless since Russia last year, he lies fourth in the championship albeit 87 points adrift of teammate Hamilton, who leads ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Round 12 of this year's championship.