Bottas, Wehrlein, Massa moves to be confirmed

  • Published on 03 Jan 2017 13:10
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

The late and sensational rush in the 2017 driver 'silly season' is now set to end.

Germany's Bild newspaper reports that Pascal Wehrlein's switch from Manor to Sauber is set to be confirmed imminently.

It is now looking increasingly likely that Valtteri Bottas will be the man who replaces Nico Rosberg at Mercedes after he was reportedly given a factory tour.

When asked about his son's chances of securing the seat, rally legend Carlos Sainz told Spanish radio Cope: "There is no way, because Mercedes have already decided on Bottas.

"It's just a matter of time before they announce it."

Bottas' departure from his watertight Williams contract has been possible via a financial settlement and the expected return from retirement of Felipe Massa.

"Honestly, for me, this decision (of Massa's) is a mistake," former F1 driver Jean Alesi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Felipe had stopped and turned the page. And what if he now discovers that the Williams isn't quick?"

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • dr002

    Posts: 141

    For the Bottas to Mercedes deal to make sense, Merc must have an option to move Bottas back to Williams at the end of 2017 should they wish to engage the services of an Alonso, Vettel, Verstappen or Ricciardo for 2018 and beyond.

    Bottas’ head to head performance against a career ending Massa in 2016 was not stellar, to say the least, particularly when considering the number of times that in qualifying Massa either crashed out, stuffed up or was obstructed - Excluding DNF’s, of which there were 5 (2 Bottas / 3 Massa) Bottas only finished ahead 9 times to Massa’s 7.

    Bottas seems like a great guy, but he’s not the most engaging or marketable character in the paddock, whilst performance wise, I would not have thought he has the competitive temperament necessary to take on Hamilton, nor would I consider that he has proven himself worthy of Mercedes faith in him as a long term prospect.

    Hence, to my way of thinking, for the move to make sense, Mercedes must surely have left their options open to move Bottas back to Williams for 2018 should he not take a giant step forward in 2017.

    • + 0
    • Jan 3 2017 - 17:54

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (34)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar