Valtteri Bottas admits Mercedes set him a minimum target of second place for the 2017 season as he looks to overhaul Sebastian Vettel in the two remaining races.

The Finn, who saw his title hopes evaporate courtesy of a poor run of form following the summer break, is currently 15 points behind the German.

After Mercedes clinched the constructors' title and Lewis Hamilton wrapped up the drivers' championship last time out in Mexico, securing an overall one-two is their final objective.

"I think that’s definitely a good target for us as a team," the former Williams driver said. 

"We've secured the drivers’ championship with Lewis and, as a team, the constructors’ so it’s always good to have a target, have something to aim for.

"For me, personally, second is always better than third, even if it’s not first place."

Should he manage to nip ahead of the Ferrari driver, his first season at the Silver Arrows could be considered a broad success. 

Asked if finishing in the top two was one of Mercedes' expectations, he replied: "Yes, as a minimum.

"As a team we really want to finish one-two in the championship, but I think it’s not going to be easy, for sure," he said. 

"We’ve seen Ferrari has been really quick everywhere, Sebastian has been strong all season, so we really need to perform well if we want that kind of result."

Hamilton and Bottas have maintained a good rapport throughout the season, and it has been suggested that the Briton could help his team-mate snatch P2.

"Knowing him, for sure he wants to win the two races we’ve left," the 28-year-old said.

"For sure we both want to win and hopefully we’ll be able to fight on track. I don’t know – it’s up to him if he wants to do anything else to help me secure the second place.

"As a team we know we really want to finish one and two, so it depends as every situation is always different."