Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has agreed a new deal with the German-based car company, which will see him remain with the team for the 2021 Formula One season.The Finnish driver joined Mercedes back in 2017 and achieved his best finish last year when he ended the season as runner-up to teammate Lewis Hamilton.Bottas has been rewarded for his improved performance, and expressed his delight at securing another year with Mercedes."I’m very happy to stay with Mercedes in 2021 and build on the success we’ve enjoyed together already," he said.“The past few years have been all about continuous improvement. I’m confident that today I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, but I can always raise the bar."Mercedes have dominated Formula One in recent years, winning each of the last six championships.Hamilton has been the standout performer during this period, claiming five titles with the team, whilst Nico Rosberg broke the Brit's stranglehold briefly by earning a solitary championship back in 2016.

Bottas' next task will be to try to win a title of his own. The 30-year-old has eight race victories to his name since taking over from Rosberg, but has rarely looked like seriously challenging Hamilton in the overall standings.

His 2020 season got off to the perfect start when he won the opening race in Austria. However, he has since played second fiddle to Hamilton, with the six-time world champion crossing the finish line in first place in each of the last three races. 

Bottas' title hopes were dealt a bitter blow last Sunday when a tyre puncture caused him to drop out of the points in the closing laps after coasting in second place for much of the afternoon. He will hope for more luck moving forwards if he is to finally get the better of Hamilton.

He did, however, beat Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff in a recent race between the trio ahead of the British Grand Prix last weekend.

Bottas will certainly hope that beating Hamilton is something that happens more regularly now that he is guaranteed to stay at Mercedes for another year.