F1 | Massa gives the OK for his return to Grove. Bottas free to go to Mercedes

Despite his retirement announced at the end of last season, Felipe Massa will replace Valterri Bottas at Williams next season. The former Ferrari driver has in fact accepted Claire Williams' proposal and will join Lance Stroll in what promises to be a transition year towards 2018. Massa will receive a salary close to six million euros and will sign an annual contract until the end of the next season. So nothing to be done for Pascal Wehrlein who, in all likelihood, will end up in Sauber alongside Marcus Ericsson. In fact, Felipe Massa's approval frees Valtteri Bottas from his contract with the English team and allows him to finalize the final details before making his move to Mercedes official.

Talented by Toto Wolff, the Finn made his debut in Formula One in the 2013 season, competing on equal terms with the more experienced Pastor Maldonado. However, Williams' newfound competitiveness in the following season allowed him to conquer several podiums, earning him the role of "top driver" within the paddock. Bottas, we remember, has been linked several times to Maurizio Arrivabene's Ferrari as a replacement for Kimi Raikkonen. All parties involved will formalize the contracts with the arrival of the new year. The Mercedes torment is finally over: Valtteri Bottas will take the place of the reigning world champion, Nico Rosberg.

Roberto Valenti