Valtteri Bottas has denied suggestions that he will be forced to support Lewis Hamilton's title bid against Sebastian Vettel after being ordered to stick behind his teammate last time out at the German Grand Prix.
Following the late Safety Car period at the Hockenheimring, Bottas was able to challenge Hamilton to win, benefiting from his freshyer tyres. Hamilton managed to fend Bottas off with the pair going side by side through most of the middle sector.
Bottas was then ordered by Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles to hold position: "Valtteri, it's James. Please hold position.