Bottas to replace Rosberg in championship team

Mercedes Benz has signed Valtteri Bottas to replace F1 world champion Nico Rosberg alongside Lewis Hamilton, with both parties confirming the deal Monday morning.

Bottas has raced his entire career with Williams and  scored nine podiums, but he is yet to win a race or start from pole position.

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“We did the contract today and obviously I’ve been dreaming for a long time to drive for a team like this, a team of champions,” Bottas revealed to the Mercedes team. “So I’m really proud to be part of this and proud of what you’ve achieved in the last few years but also in the whole history of Formula 1 – it’s mega to be driving a Silver Arrow myself this year.

“I can’t wait to start working properly. There is still enough time until testing to get everything sorted. My goal for the first race is to get all the points available that there’s absolutely possible in the car. I’m still missing my first win, so that’s the first mission.”

Speaking of new teammate Hamilton, Bottas confirmed, “We can be a strong pair together, I really respect him as a driver and a person. He’s so quick, he’s a great reference for me. I’m sure we are going to be close and pushing each other forward.

“But the main thing is I’m sure we’re going to work as a team, working together to help the team as much as we can and having a good spirit.”

Williams has meanwhile confirmed Felipe Massa will  come out of retirement to replace the Finn alongside Canadian rookie Lance Stroll, while Mercedes protege and F1 hopeful Pascal Wehrlein has signed to drive for Sauber.

“I am very happy to have an opportunity to return to Williams,” Massa admitted. “I always intended to race somewhere in 2017, but Williams is a team close to my heart and I have respect for everything it is trying to achieve.

“Valtteri has a great opportunity, given the turn of events over the winter, and I wish him all the best at Mercedes.”In turn, when I was offered the chance to help Williams with their 2017 campaign, it felt like the right thing to do – I certainly have not lost any of my enthusiasm for racing and I’m extremely motivated to be coming back to drive the FW40.”

This report was first published on Motorsportmedia by Michele Lupini