Valtteri Bottas will race for Mercedes again next year after being given a one-year contract on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Finnish driver has exceeded expectations after stepping in as an emergency replacement for Nico Rosberg, who retired from Formula One days after winning last year’s title.

Despite having only modest results during his time with Williams, Bottas has won two races and formed a solid partnership with three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Bottas is third in the standings — 41 points adrift of championship leader Hamilton — and has secured a further seven podium finishes in addition to his victories.

Despite his good form, Mercedes seemed hesitant on whether it would keep Bottas next year.

Wednesday’s announcement means that both Hamilton and Bottas will race for Mercedes in 2018.