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Williams technical chief Pat Symonds has said that it is "crucial" Williams retain Valtteri Bottas.
The Finn is currently being courted by Mercedes to replace the recently retired Nico Rosberg, but Williams are unwilling to let their prized asset leave.
"People often underestimate the importance of continuity in a team," Symonds told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Despite all the equipment that we have, the driver is the final link between the engineers and the data."
Symonds says that one of the key reasons for retaining Bottas is to help incoming rookie driver Lance Stroll.
"You can replace one of the drivers, but you need the other driver as a reference point, especially during a season of regulation changes, which will be the case in 2017," he said. "We will have Lance Stroll, as a rookie, with no experience in Formula One, so keeping Bottas will be crucial to our success – losing him would have a heavy impact on the team."
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Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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V. Bottas
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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Replies (2)
Login to replytalktohenry
Posts: 362
Bull if MB pay them £10m plus compensation, I'm sure they'll sell him and find a good alternative.....He's saying this to jack the price up as can be expected!
Hemex
Posts: 991
They'd be bonkers if they did that! There's no telling how many millions they would loose by dropping in the Constructors Championship next year. If there was a "good alternative" Mercedes would not have to be so keen on Bottas to begin with. Any suggestions for them?