Bottas has earned long-term place - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton believes his teammate Valtteri Bottas is deserving of a long-term position at Mercedes despite uncertainty over his future.

Toto Wolff this week admitted Bottas is in "an uncomfortable" position as the Finn only has a one-year deal, designed to allow Mercedes to assess the driver market at the end of this season. With Bottas having taken pole position in Bahrain and won in Russia, Hamilton says the performances so far are worthy of a longer-term commitment.

"I think within the Mercedes family he has earned his right and place within the Mercedes family for long term," Hamilton said. "Mercedes generally I think is the only team in, as far as I am aware in motorsport, that really embraces the individuals that they work with and particularly drivers, you become a part of the family for the rest of you life.

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"He's earned the right and his place within that, he's doing a great job within this team and he will continue to grow. It's only his first year within this team, he's already won a grand prix and has got great points for the team; he will go strength to strength and will continue to get stronger, he just needs the opportunity to be able to do so."

Hamilton has referenced an improved atmosphere at Mercedes this season, with former teammate Nico Rosberg having retired immediately after winning last year's drivers' championship. Asked if Bottas' arrival was the catalyst for the more positive feeling within the team, Hamilton replied: "Absolutely, yeah.

"I think Valtteri's energy and hoping to create a great harmony. I think it's mostly the battle that we have with another team, but definitely every single piece of the puzzle needs to be in this place.

"I definitely say this year as a team when he's at the factory, he brings a great energy that everyone loves and appreciates. They love that they have their two drivers that firstly they truly believe and know that when they put their work in they're going to deliver. I think he's definitely been a part of that."

Hamilton currently sits 12 points behind championship leader Sebastian Vettel, with Bottas a further 36 points adrift of his Mercedes teammate.