It is up in news that Williams are set up to discharge Valtteri Bottas to end up Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate in 2017. Mercedes need the Finn, 27, to supplant Nico Rosberg, who resigned subsequent to winning the world title a month ago. Representative team chief Claire Williams told BBC Sport the team would give Bottas a chance to leave “if an accomplished, valid option was accessible”.
Williams recommended Felipe Massa could return, in spite of resigning toward the end of this season. “I’m delighted to see that a team like Mercedes lists Valtteri as a potential replacement for Nico,” Williams said.
“We have always known Valtteri is one of the sport’s key talents and are proud that the championship leaders recognise this. However, Williams has its own ambitions and we must always ensure we give our team the best opportunity to move forward. Any changes would only be made if Williams remains in a strong position to compete and develop in 2017. If we did allow Valtteri to leave, we would only do this if an experienced, credible alternative was available, such as someone like Felipe Massa, for example.”
Williams, who completed fifth in the title in 2016, have rejected Mercedes’ first offer for Bottas, yet talks are continuous. The team are getting down to business with Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff since he is in a troublesome position finding a team-mate for Hamilton when all the main names are under contract.
Notwithstanding, it is a delicate circumstance since Williams utilize Mercedes engines and need to keep a decent association with the German producer. Furthermore, now Mercedes have communicated an intrigue, Bottas is quick to accept up the open door to join a front-running team.
“Basically, once they’ve dwindled it down to five drivers – or whatever it is, the shortlist – contractually they have to discuss with me,” Hamilton, 31, told Channel 4.
“But I don’t have a say who it is.”
Williams require an accomplished driver for 2017 to accomplice the 18-year-old Canadian youngster Lance Stroll, who is making his introduction and is said to bring monetary sponsorship worth as much as £20m.
Re-utilizing Massa could be a decent answer for Williams. In spite of the fact that he declared his retirement from F1 in September, the Brazilian made it clear he needed to keep racing. So a seat at Williams could be a decent open door for him.
