Alfa Romeo currently sits ninth in the championship with three points but team principal, Fred Vasseur, said that he expects the team to move closer to the front of the grid, with next year’s regulatory reset and Bottas on board.
“Valtteri has been an integral part of a team that rewrote the history books and he has four constructors’ world titles to his name,” said Vasseur. “He is the right driver to help Alfa Romeo Racing make a step forward towards the front of the grid.
“With him, we bring to Hinwil a strong team player with experience at the sharp end of the grid.
“Our relationship goes back a long way, to when we worked together in successful campaigns in F3 and GP3, and his talent and skills have been evident ever since, only growing with the time: I’m really looking forward to seeing him put his ability to work for the good of the team.”
Mercedes has said that it would choose either Russell or Bottas to partner Hamilton next year, and an announcement from the Brackley team is expected shortly.
Bottas said that he was determined to leave the team as this year’s constructor’s champion.
“I know Fred [Vasseur] well and I am looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team I am going to work with, building relationships as strong as the ones I have at Mercedes,” he said.
“I am proud of what I have achieved in Brackley and I am fully focused on finishing the job as we fight for another world championship, but I am also looking forward to the new challenges that await me next year.”