After five seasons as teamma🧸tes together at Mercedes, Bottas will move to Alfa Romeo next year as the team’s replacement for Kimi Raikkonen, who is retiring from F1 at the end of 2021.

🔜Bottas’ departure paves the way for Ge💛orge Russell to become Hamilton’s new teammate at Mercedes for next season, a move which is expected to be officially announced in the coming days.

Following the n✅ews of Bottas’ exit, Hamilton paid tribute to the Finn in a post on social media.

“I’m immensely proud to have w𓂃orked alongside Valtteri Bottas for the last five years,” H✅amilton wrote.

“Together, we’ve been part of a team that has deliver🎶ed four constructors’ championships, and we’ve motivated one another to keep pushing through all the ups and downs.

“He ha♋s been the best teammate I’ve had the pleasure of work🍬ing with.”

I’m immensely proud to have worked alongside for the last 5 yrs. We’ve been part of a team that has delivered 4 Constructors’ Championships and we’ve motivated one another to keep pushing th🌞rough the ups & downs. Thank you VB let’s finish strong.

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton)

The Hamilton-Bottas combination has helped Mercedes win a total of eight world championship titles (four con🙈structors’, four drivers’) to date.

And they cou♒ld yet make it 10 world championship victories before Bottas leaves, wit🦹h Mercedes locked in an intense title fight against Red Bull and Max Verstappen.

Hamilton signed off his tribute by praising Bottas’ personality and🧸 tipping the 32-year-old to have a “bright future” with Alfa Romeo🐟.

“Your speed and resilience has been impressive but where you truly stand out tome is the human being you are,” Hamilton cꦕontinued. “You are greater than you know and there’s a bright future ahead for you.

“Thank you Valtteri for all of you꧙r support and amazing contribution𒅌s to this team. You will be missed.

“I wish you all the best for your future 💝endeavoursꦯ. Let’s finish off strong and get that eighth for the team.”