Bottas admits Mercedes team orders could continue in Japan

Mercedes have told Valtteri Bottas that they will carry on using team orders until Lewis Hamilton secures the world championship.

Hamilton won in Russia last Sunday to extend his title lead over Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel to 50 points after Bottas was instructed to move aside for his team-mate.

The controversial decision caused uproar among some of the sport's fans, while Bottas, and for that matter Hamilton - who admitted it was the hollowest victory of his career - were left uncomfortable by the order.

Hamilton revealed in Suzuka ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix that he did not want to be on the podium in Sochi to celebrate the 70th win of his career

which edges him ever closer to a fifth championship.

Up until last Sunday, Mercedes had largely allowed their drivers to race, but Bottas admitted he now faces the prospect of being told to step aside

once more for Hamilton with only five rounds remaining.

"It could definitely happen again," Bottas, 117 points adrift of Hamilton, said.

"Yes (Mercedes have told me), and that is what I expect.

"I will be supporting Lewis. I just need to accept it and it is now the situation I am in because of everything that has happened earlier in the season. I can't fight any more for the championship.

"I am a team player and I am willing to help. It is what I do, and when it is time, and I am allowed to win, I will do it.

"But it doesn't mean that I am not a racer and I don't want to win. Winning is everything, but that time will come later."