Felipe Massa might come out of retirement to drive for Williams again if Valtteri Bottas signs for Mercedes for 2017.
Valtteri Bottas is Mercedes’ number one choice to replace Rosberg, and despite Williams rejecting their initial bid for him it is believed that Mercedes are still trying to work out a deal to sign the Finn.
That would leave a spare seat at Williams for 2017, and a report from French paper L’Equipe reckons Felipe Massa is in “advanced talks” with Williams about a potential comeback. Massa retired at the end of 2016 when it looked like he might end up out of a drive anyway, but Williams’ desire to have an experienced team mate for 18-year-old rookie Lance Stroll could be the perfect scenario to tempt the Brazilian back for another year.
Of course, all of this depends upon Mercedes getting Bottas in the first place, but with the effort Mercedes are putting in to get him it’s hard to imagine it not happening – especially with the rumoured £8.4 million discount on Mercedes engines as part of the deal.
All of this must be pretty disheartening for Pascal Wehrlein, a Mercedes junior driver who had an impressive debut season for Manor, yet he might end up without a seat next year.
To be honest it would kinda suck if Massa came back after the fantastically emotional send-off he got in Brazil. It’s not that he’s not liked but he’s had his time and there are other drivers who deserve a chance, especially at a team like Williams *cough* Maldonado *cough*.
Either way we won’t find out until the 3rd of January at the earliest, as Mercedes have said that there won’t be any news before that date.