F1: Bottas might head to Mercedes, Massa to re-join Williams

Mercedes Formula 1 team appears to have roped in Valtteri Bottas as the replacement for Nico Rosberg, who announced his Formula 1 retirement just a few days after winning his maiden World Drivers' Championship title. The deal under which Bottas will be leaving Williams to join Mercedes, is reportedly in its closing stages with the final declaration lined up for the new year.

With Bottas heading to Mercedes, Williams has convinced Felipe Massa to postpone his retirement for at least a year. Massa has been racing with Williams for the past three years. He had earlier announced his retirement after acknowledging the fact that there was no space for him at Williams, as the team had signed 18-year old Lance Stroll, who is said to be bringing sponsorship worth £20m.

Mercedes supplies engines for Williams F1 cars, and the two teams have worked closely for a fairly long period of time. Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff is considered to be the driving force behind Williams' decision to sign Valtteri Bottas in the first place. Reports suggest that Mercedes offered to wave off £8.4m from the engine cost to Williams for releasing Valtteri Bottas, which was rejected. However, the final deal agreed upon is reported to be closer to their full engine bill of £14.3m.

Source: BBC