Salo: Bottas 'deserves' Williams seat in 2014

Mika Salo (left)

Valtteri Bottas "deserves" another season with Williams in 2014.

That is the view of former F1 driver Mika Salo, who also commented on fellow Finn Bottas' last-corner battle with teammate Pastor Maldonado at Suzuka.

Ultimately, rookie Bottas only lost sixteenth place to his experienced teammate, but he was sour.

"It was not fair," said the 24-year-old, who has not yet been confirmed by Williams for a second season beyond November's Brazil finale.

"Racing shouldn't be like that," added Bottas, continuing his criticism of Maldonado.

Salo, however, told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 that the last-chicane battle "shows what kind of people F1 drivers are".

"If you are far away from the front, being in front of your teammate is the only thing that means anything," he added.

Even though Bottas lost that battle, Salo said Bottas "has driven quite a good season and deserves a sequel".

"He has beaten his teammate pretty steadily, especially in qualifying but also in races.

"Bear in mind that Valtteri has been learning a lot of new things, while Maldonado was a race winner last year," added Salo.

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