Mercedes have confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will keep his position with the German manufacturer for the 2020 F1 season, according to a report from Auto Bild, as per GPFans.

The German automobile magazine also revealed that Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon will be relieved from his contractual obligations and will join Renault next season.

Bottas has helped the Silver Arrows to two Constructors’ Championships since replacing former champion Nico Rosberg, although his inability to contend with Hamilton as Rosberg did, has led to speculation that the Brackley-based outfit could look elsewhere.

With Ocon patiently waiting in the wings, the pressure had mounted on the Finnish driver after ill-timed failures in both Germany and Hungary.

However, reports have emerged claiming that the 29-year-old will retain his position behind Hamilton for another year despite trailing the five-time world champion by 62 points at the summer break.

Ocon could now line-up alongside Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo after Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul reportedly pounced on the opportunity to add the talented French driver to his team.

That decision, should it come to fruition, would obviously leave Nico Hulkenberg as the odd man out at the French outfit.

However, the German driver could find a new home at Haas, where Romain Grosjean’s four-year tenure with the US team is expected to come to an end.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff confirmed that Hamilton would be consulted over the identity of his new teammate in the near future, and the harmony that Bottas has brought to the Silver Arrows after the Brit’s troublesome years alongside Rosberg, may have played into the Finn’s favour.