Alfa Romeo has announced that Valtteri Bottas has joined the team in a multi-year deal, thereby clearing the way for George Russell to join Mercedes.

Bottas, a nine-time Grand Prix winner, joins Alfa Romeo as it embarks on the crucial transition to the new era of Formula One, with sweeping regulation changes hopefully providing a unique opportunity to move towards the front of the grid.

Next year will bring a new page for the Finn, said the team, and joining Alfa Romeo will allow him to put his experience at the competitive end of Formula One to use as he helps it move up the rankings.

With new regulations providing a great reset in the sport, the opportunity is there for team and driver to write a new, successful story together.

"A new chapter in my racing career is opening," said Bottas. "I'm excited to join Alfa Romeo for 2022 and beyond for what is going to be a new challenge with an iconic manufacturer. Alfa Romeo is a brand that needs no introduction, they have written some great pages of Formula One history and it's going to be an honour to represent this marque.

"The potential of the setup in Hinwil is clear and I am relishing the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid, especially with the new regulations in 2022 giving the team a chance to make a leap in performance. I'm grateful for the trust the team has put in me and I cannot wait to repay their faith: I'm as hungry as ever to race for results and, when the time comes, for wins.

"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. 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."

"It is a pleasure to welcome Valtteri to the team and we are looking forward to our journey together," said Frederic Vasseur. "With him, we bring to Hinwil a strong team player with experience at the sharp end of the grid. Valtteri has been an integral part of a team that rewrote the history books and he has four constructors' world titles to his name: he is the right driver to help Alfa Romeo make a step forward towards the front 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. The multi-year deal bringing him to us gives both Valtteri and the team the stability we need to build our project at a crucial time for Formula One: we are excited for what the future holds in store."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Victory, 09/09/2021 23:55

"So, Bottas doesn't go to Alfa until next season? "

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2. Posted by C5, 07/09/2021 16:30

"Congratulations, Valtteri. Fewer podiums, yes. But and number of world championships and arguably a better life."

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3. Posted by trackrecords, 07/09/2021 3:53

"Had Kimi not signalled his departure, where would he have gone is the question? He was such a talent at Williams, so has being in Lewis' shadow 'waned' his powers?
"

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4. Posted by Superbird70, 06/09/2021 15:40

"After Zandvoort his engineer may be joining him."

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Official: Bottas joins Alfa Romeo

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