Bottas set to stay at Williams for 2017

Valtteri Bottas is set to remain with Williams for 2017 with FIA Formula 3 European champion Lance Stroll as his team-mate, MN understands.

Finnish ace Bottas had been linked with a move to Renault for next season to partner Nico Hulkenberg, and was understood to have held talks with the French manufacturer. However, sources close to the Williams team say Bottas has opted for a sixth term at Grove.

Bottas began his F1 career at Williams as a test driver in 2012, and has contested 73 races with the team since, scoring nine podium finishes.

Bottas is set to be partnered by Canadian racer Stroll, who cantered to this year’s Euro F3 crown and will replace Felipe Massa. Both drivers are expected to be confirmed next month.

Another gap in the F1 silly season was plugged in Austin with Red Bull confirming that Daniil Kvyat will stay at Toro Rosso in 2017 alongside Carlos Sainz Jr.

Kvyat’s future had been unclear following his demotion from Red Bull to Toro Rosso earlier this year. The Russian said: “I had a bit of a drop down in performance this year, at that point it looked like I wouldn’t be in [Toro Rosso] next year. But I managed to get things together and I’ve had a few important races.”