In three years with Mercedes the Finn has finished third, fifth and second in the Drivers’ Championship.

The Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 winner added another three wins to make that year his best season, and any thoughts that Bottas might be benched for someone younger were set aside when he re-signed with the team in late August.

For all that, there were times in which he looked to be at less than his best, with off-track issues perhaps distracting him from his racing, before tearing from the back of the Abu Dhabi grid to fourth in the final race of the year.

Given the circumstances, perhaps 2020 could be the Finn’s best season; turning 31 in August, Bottas might be the perfect foil to push Hamilton to ever greater heights.