Valtteri Bottas' difficult Hungarian Grand Prix will have no bearing on Merc🔯edes' decision regarding his future with the team, acc๊ording to Toto Wolff.

After qualifying second at the Hungaroring on Saturday, Bottas' race was ruined on the first lap as he picked up damage following a clash with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, forcing him to pit for re🌠pairs and drop all🍰 the way to last place.

Bottas recovered to eighth by the finish, but lost ꦍyet more ground to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who now leads 𒅌the drivers' championship by 62 points.

Mercedes will take a decision on Bottas' future this month. The Finn is going up against Mercedes reserve Esteban Ocon for the seat as he looks to extend♌ his stay with the team into a fꦛourth season.

Speaking followiܫng Sunday's race in Hungary, Mercedes team boss Wolff showed sympathy for Bottas' difficult day, 𓄧and stressed it would not have any impact on the decision regarding his future.

"It’s so sad for him. He was so pumped yesterday after his qualifying, his performance was brillཧiant and he was in the right space of mind before the race," Wolff said.

"But the unfortunate incident of flat spotting the tyre, t🦋ouching with Lewis, tﷺouching with Leclerc - within a lap all the hard work is gone. And that’s just awful for him. I’m sorry for him.

"We will not let one race ღresult influence our decision. It's more about compounding all the ꦡdata, looking at it and making a decision.

"It’s stability and a great personality💝 and a great driver versus giving youth a chance in the car🍷 with all the rewards and risks it can bring.

"We will start the process to♔morrow and it's🥃 not going to be an easy one."