the only way he is winning any of the remaining races this season is if Hamilton has a DNF or is behind Vettel and they can't safely swap
It was a weird start to the season, Bottas was great in his wins and Hamilton just looked like he was having one of those 'on it or nowhere' type seasons, but he's definitely come back from the break in pretty formiddable form.
If he slips back to start of the year form at some point I think Bottas might have a win in him but I dont think any driver could really hang with Hamilton when he's on it, but Hamilton can be a bit hot and cold depending on his mindset and when it came to the wheel to wheel racing Rosberg lost out every time; its just keeping Hamilton in the zone that seems to be the hard part. That's maybe where Bottas is struggling at the moment and what Rosberg warned him about when Rosberg decided to retire after winning, just that constant pressure.
Its been interesting this year, despite the points difference, Verstappen has had the measure of Ricciardo, if it werent for DNFs, he'd be ahead for sure. Ricciardos dogged attempt to make something from nothing and just keep hanging in there is his best quality but raw speed Max has him.
I think after next year is going to be interesting, I cant see Raikkonen staying and if Vettel cant deliver a WDC by then, I dare say they'll be looking for a driver like Verstappen with pure speed to put in the car whether Vettel likes it or not.
I like Bottas but a Ricciardo in a Merc would be smart, his speed may not quite be as quick as Verstappen but his ability to consistently deliver points will be something that fits the Merc outfit of wanting WCC more than WDC. I also think Ham and Ric would get along better than Ham and Max, though Ham and Max and Vet and Max would both be volatile, more so I think with Vet as they are both known to completely disregard team orders and drive very aggressively.
Any of those 4 guys in the same teams together in a WDC contending car would be...interesting for team management.
Bottas is just very measured, it will be interesting to see if Merc would be prepared to drop Bottas when he and Ham seem to be fairly calm and composed, or Merc drop Bottas and go for the full on headache that is pairing Hamilton with a Max or Ric, though especially Max. Putting Max beside Vettel or Hamilton is a 100% gauranteed way to set yourself up for friendly fire on track.
