Bottas joined the team in winter as a late replacement for World Champion Nico Rosberg after his surprising decision to quit the sport, but he was handed just a one-year deal so his form could be monitored during the season.
"He'll go from strength to strength and continue to get stronger".
"Absolutely, yeah, I think Valtteri's energy is helping create a great harmony".
Bottas has not found himself at loggerheads with Hamilton as his predecessor Rosberg did, suggesting Mercedes would rather keep the status quo in 2018. "When he is at the factory, he brings a great energy which everyone loves and appreciates".
"I think he's earned his right and his place within the Mercedes family for the long term", Hamilton said in Azerbaijan.
But Bottas insists he feels unaffected and expects discussions over his future to begin shortly.
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"I feel normal because every single year for me in F1, I have had the same situation", smiled the Finn.
"I don't know when I will know. The time line is quite flexible, but, like I said, there's no rush".
"When we chose to make Valtteri the offer, he knew that we would be taking our time for the decision going forward because the driver market is more open in 2018 and beyond, 2018 and 2019".
But Bottas treated the comments with a bit of withdrawal, actually agreeing with his employer that it was indeed still early days. "I've had no idea, at this point, what I was going to do the following year".
Hamilton, who stressed that the battle with Ferrari has revitalised the team in 2017, said that Bottas has made an important contribution to morale. "Every day I work hard to make the most out of every single situation I'm in".
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