Massa returns to Williams for 2017posted in F116 | 01 | 2017
WILLIAMS HAS RELEASED Valtteri Bottas to join Mercedes, as Brazilian Felipe Massa has confirmed he has reversed his decision to retire from Formula 1 and will replace the Finn in the Mercedes-powered Williams team.
Today’s much-anticipated announcement end a strange saga which has run since newly-crowned world champ Nico Rosberg announced his shock retirement just days after winning the 2016 title.
Bottas, managed by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, quickly became the No1 choice to replace Rosberg. But with Williams having already signed Canadian teenager Lance Stroll for 2017, the team emphasised it wanted an experienced driver if it was to release Bottas. That decision was understandable given the dramatic regulation changes for this year.
The Grove-based team also could not field a second young driver as that would cause problems with key sponsor Martini. After lengthy discussion, Massa has accepted a one-year deal to return.
"I am very happy to have an opportunity to return to Williams," former Ferrari grand prix race winner Massa said today. "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.
Related: Bottas inches closer to Mercedes switch
"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."
Deputy team principal Claire Williams said: "I'm delighted Felipe has agreed to come out of retirement to be a part of our 2017 campaign.
"With Valtteri having a unique opportunity to join the current constructors' champions, we have been working hard to ensure that an agreement could be made with Mercedes to give Valtteri this fantastic opportunity.
"Valtteri has been part of the Williams family since 2010 and in that time has proved a huge talent, securing nine podium finishes.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of the whole team, and wish him a successful season as he joins Mercedes.
"Felipe has always been a much-loved member of the Williams family, and having the opportunity to work with him again is something we all look forward to.
"Felipe re-joining us provides stability, experience and talent to help lead us forward. He is a great asset for us."
Bottas has notched up nine podiums in his F1 career with Williams, but he has yet to win in 77 starts. For Massa, this will be his 15th season as an F1 racing driver, during which time he has scored 11 wins, 41 podiums, 16 pole positions. Famously, he was cruelly denied the F1 world title when Lewis Hamilton pipped him in the season finale in Brazil in 2008.
Related: Williams confirms Lance Stroll for 2017
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Jim McGill