Bottas is entering his fifth racing season for Mercedes in 2021, having helped the team win the constructors’ championship in each of their past four years alongside Lewis Hamilton.
But the Finn has always been re-signed on rolling one-year contracts with Mercedes, with his existing contract set to expire at the end of this season.
With teammate Hamilton also on a one-year contract currently, Mercedes has maximum flexibility in the driver market for 2022 with two vacant seats.
MORE: How Hamilton’s one-year deal opens up the 2022 driver market
After a long period of negotiations on his 2019 contract, Bottas said last year he wanted the talks to be resolved quickly, with a new 2021 deal announced in early August.
But as the new season approaches, Bottas said he was in no rush to open talks on a 2022 deal, acknowledging the team’s advantage in keeping two seats open.
“I’m honestly in no rush for this,” Bottas said after the launch of Mercedes’ new W12 car ahead of the 2021 season.
“I kind of understand. If the team has the opportunity for the big change coming in 2022, to have options, to choose their two drivers, I think that’s good for the team.
“But yeah, honestly, on my side, not in a rush. I’m just in full swing for the season and trying to hit my goals.
“Ultimately, it will be a topic of discussion. Not quite yet.
Bottas’ future is expected to be one of the main points of interest in the F1 driver market in 2021, as Mercedes reflects on where to place junior star George Russell for next year.
Russell is out of contract with Williams at the end of this season and impressed in his only appearance for Mercedes at the Sakhir Grand Prix last year, where he replaced the COVID-stricken Hamilton.
Bottas has failed to beat Hamilton in the championship in any of their four years together so far, and admitted it would be “disappointing” if he never got the better of his teammate in one. season.
“Of course in a way that would be disappointing because I’ve been teaming up with Lewis for a number of years, and obviously every year that’s the goal,” said Bottas.
“But what would be more disappointing is if I look back and do things that I could have done better or should have tried harder.
“I don’t want to leave anything if after this year it’s the ultimate goal. If I give all that I have, if I maximize like I said myself and the people around me, and give all that I have, then there is no regrets.
“But I talk like it’s not with Lewis that I’m fighting or winning titles. I haven’t really thought that far. I am fully focused on this season and of course we will see afterwards.
