Bottas closer to Mercedes moveposted in F121 | 12 | 2016
VALTTERI BOTTAS’ MOVE to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season has inched a step closer after Felipe Massa accepted an offer to remain in Formula 1 next year with Williams. The Grove-based team is power by Mercedes engines.
The 35-year-old Brazilian’s decision paves the way for Williams to negotiate and accept a compensation offer from Mercedes — expected to be close to their full engine bill of €17m — which will allow Bottas to replace world champion Nico Rosberg.
The German stunned Mercedes and F1 by announcing his shock retirement just days after clinching the world title in Abu Dhabi.
Massa (pictured above with Bottas), who made an emotional farewell from F1 at his home grand prix in Brazil, having announced his retirement in September, has decided he is prepared to go back on his decision.
Williams’ position was complicated by the fact its title sponsor, Martini, requires at least one driver over 25 for promotional reasons; Williams' other car will be driven by the 18-year-old Canadian novice Lance Stroll (pictured below with Bottas), who is bringing sponsorship said to be in the region of £20m to the team.
Mercedes has originally offered Williams reduced engine supply costs and Mercedes junior driver Pascal Wehrlein as a replacement driver. Wehrlein is only 22.
Mercedes has made it clear that an official announcement on who will partner Hamilton in 2017 will not be announced before next year. Team boss Niki Lauda has admitted discussions have proved "difficult".
However, these latest developments put in place the probability that a statement will be made shortly after the Christmas and New Year break.
That announcement will also see former Mercedes executive technical director Paddy Lowe move to Williams to run the team, following the departure of their chief technical officer Pat Symonds. Lowe will be replaced at Mercedes by former Ferrari technical director James Allison.
Related: Hamilton — Why did team interfere?
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Jim McGill