Race for Williams hots up

years before, they are completely different.

You cannot evaluate too much.”

Massa remains in contention to keep his seat next year – for what would be his 16th F1 season – and insists he is “relaxed” about his future. He wants to stay on for another year and feels he still has a lot to offer the squad.

“I am enjoying doing the best I can in the last races this year, and I don’t know what is going to happen next year,” said Massa. “I am quite keen to do another season. I can do it in a great way, I can give a lot to the team like I did already. But I don’t decide, the team decides. I have given a lot to the team, and F1 as well, and if people are happy I will stay.”

Wehrlein emerged as a fourth option earlier this month, with Mercedes understood to be pushing to place him at Williams, to which it supplies engines. With Sauber in talks about the closeness of its partnership with Ferrari, that will include a driver element, and Mercedes is aware that Wehrlein may not be able to stay on at the Hinwil team for another season.

Williams ideally needs one of its drivers to be over the age of 25 as part of its arrangement with its title sponsor, alcohol brand Martini, and that appeared to rule out 22-year-old Wehrlein.

But it is believed that there is room for negotiation on the issue should the team decide he is the best driver to partner Stroll and help the team move up the grid, which in turn would increase visibility for its sponsors and boost the chances of winning more prize money. One solution would be to sign a reserve driver, such as di Resta, who could act as Martini’s ambassador.

When asked what he made about the speculation surrounding his team-mate for next year, Stroll – who is on a multi-year deal – said: “The team will sort that out; my job is just to drive the car that is on my side of the garage. They will figure out the rest.”

Massa has called for a decision before his home race in Brazil, which takes place on November 12, with the Brazilian expected to head to Formula E if he doesn’t keep his seat. It is believed that Williams is keen to achieve that deadline, not only as a gesture to Massa but also to end the speculation and allow for some stability to begin preparations for next season.

“My job is just to drive the car on my side of the garage”