F1: LEWIS HAMILTON BACKS VALTERRI BOTTAS SAYS TOTO WOLFF

Mercedes Benz boss Toto Wolff said Lewis Hamilton backs new team-mate Valterri Bottas...Bottas has signed a new contract with Mercedes Benz after Benz bought his Williams contract..."Lewis said he thought Valterri was a nice guy" said Wolff..."One of the guys he actually got along with well in Formula 1 and he felt he was a good option."..."I think that works well"..."It was OK already with Nico and Lewis, but there was the luggage of the past...Now it is a completely new relationship and there is no animosity."...

Bottas has signed a 1 year contract with options to extend..."Equally we have great faith and confidence in him that he can stay with us for a long time, but now we need to see how the season goes." Wolff told Finnish commentator Oskari Saari.