A clearer indication that Valtteri Bottas will be replacing Nico Rosberg at Mercedes are reports saying Felipe Massa has broken an initial agreement with an unnamed Formula E team to return to Williams.
According to Spanish publication Marca, the Brazilian driver had a deal in place to race in Formula E after he had retired from Formula One at the end of 2016.
After Rosberg’s shock announcement after winning his first F1 drivers’ title, things changed very quickly leading to a domino effect. Many expected Mercedes to sign youngster Pascal Wehrlein but it soon became clear they would prefer Lewis Hamilton’s 2017 teammate to be experienced. Bottas was the likely choice considering his links to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
Williams would only release Bottas should they be able to convince Massa to return alongside 18-year-old Lance Stroll and it appears this will indeed happen.
11-time Grand Prix winner Massa will return to the sport for a 15th season. During his time at Williams, he has finished on the podium on five occasions, scoring one pole position.
