It’s official: Valtteri Bottas will take 2016 F1 Drivers Champion, Nico Rosberg‘s seat in the Mercedes-AMG F1 team’s now-vacant seat for the 2017 season. The 27-year-old Finn joins the 2014, 2015 and 2016 F1 Constructors’ champion with nine podium finishes under his belt, though he is still on the hunt for his first F1 race win.
“It is going to be mega to drive a Silver Arrow. I’m prepared to work as long as it takes to get everything out of the car. I’m still missing my first win so that’s going to be my first mission,” said Bottas during the announcement at Mercedes’ Brackley factory.
“With Lewis we’ll be a strong pairing. I’m sure we are going to be very close and be pushing each other forward. I’m sure we can work together and have a good experience to race flat out and fair together,” Bottas added.
The Williams F1 seat left vacant by Bottas’ departure from the team will be filled by Felipe Massa, who will be coming out of retirement for the 2017 season, following the Brazilian’s leave after his 250th race and the end of last year. Massa will be paired with 18-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll at Williams, following Bottas’ unexpected departure to Mercedes-AMG.
With Mercedes-AMG’s new signing comes another departure, this time that of their executive technical director, Paddy Lowe. Having led Mercedes-AMG F1’s technical division from June 2013, Lowe was key to the development of the team’s 2014 season hybrid F1 cars, which bore fruit in the thrice-on-the-trot Constructors titles for Mercedes.
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Most F1 fan already know Bottas are the Chosen One just like we know the sun will set in the West. It’s only a matter of time.
Lets hope Bottas will put a dent on the smug face Hamilton is wearing & i also hope Mercedes don’t interfere with both driver slugging it out like Roseberg & Hamilton do.
Safe choice by Merc. Should’ve hired Jenson Button I think. He has even more experience than Bottas and had worked with (and beaten – in 2011) Hamilton before when they were at McLaren. Plus, JB is a world champion and he would’ve been cheaper (he was already semi retired) as they will not need to poach the top driver from Williams and had to give engine cost discount to Williams in the process.