Williams has confirmed that Felipe Massa will partner Valtteri Bottas in 2014. The Brazilian’s name has been linked with the team for some time, and he replaces Pastor Maldonado, with whom he shares manager Nicolas Todt.
In a statement the team said it “would like to take this opportunity to thank Pastor Maldonado for his efforts and contribution over the past three seasons, in particular delivering the team’s Spanish Grand Prix victory last year. We wish him well for the future.”
Announcing the news, Frank Williams said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm our 2014 driver line-up and welcome Felipe into the Williams family. He is an exceptional talent and a real fighter on the race track; he also brings a wealth of experience as we begin a new chapter in our story. Valtteri is a valued member of the team and I’m pleased he was able to demonstrate his talent in tricky conditions in Montréal. There is much more to come from him.”
Claire Williams added: “It is very exciting for us to be able to confirm our 2014 driver line-up as part of a number of announcements we will be making over the coming weeks. Felipe has demonstrated his talent and speed over the years, as well as his ability to help motivate and drive a team to championship success, and we are extremely pleased that he will be joining us as we embark on our 2014 campaign. Valtteri is an exciting, young talent who has done a solid job for us in his rookie season and we are looking forward to giving him the equipment he deserves to show just how good he is.
“This announcement is a key step towards our goal of returning Williams to the front of the grid, and part of our on-going plans to ensure we are stronger in 2014 and beyond. The stability of having both our drivers on multi-year contracts, Mercedes-Benz as our engine partner and a strong commercial base all contribute to the future success of the Williams F1 Team.”
Massa said: “Williams is one of the most successful and important teams of all time in Formula One. When I was a kid, I always dreamed about racing for Williams, Ferrari or McLaren and I’m glad to be signing with another icon of the sport following my time at Ferrari. It is also nice to remember that some of the best Brazilian drivers raced for Williams and cemented a strong national link with the team. With such a major change of regulations in 2014, I hope my experience will be useful in helping the team in its effort to move on from a difficult period. Since my early days in motor racing, I don’t remember seeing so many new rules in a single season and I’m fully prepared to work with everyone at Grove to make sure we find the right direction. I’m highly motivated to start working hard from the very beginning in what is an exciting new challenge in my career.”
Valtteri Bottas said: “I have known everyone here for many years, firstly as a test driver and now as a race driver, so it feels like home. I have faith in Williams and I know we can do so much better in the future than our current performance shows. I am looking forward to having Felipe as my teammate. He is a quick and experienced driver and together we will be pushing to the maximum to improve the car and get as many points as we can next season. We will be working throughout the winter to ensure we are ready for the challenge of 2014. I would also like to thank everyone at Williams, especially Frank, Claire and the senior management for their on-going trust in me.”
Adam Cooper F1 
Glad they’re keeping Valtteri.
Way to go Felipe! No more Multi 21 team directions for you.
I have waited patiently during every twist and turn of the Williams saga hoping for resurrection and a return to prominence with little satisfaction. Why do I have the feeling that we are rapidly approaching a make/break period in the team’s destiny? They have survived so much, can they indefinitely continue along the same path of mediocrity??
“The stability of having both our drivers on multi-year contracts…” Are the contracts 1 + 1’s (2014 + option for 2015), or something more?
I hope Williams can give Felipe a competitive car, otherwise I think Williams will do for Massa’s career what it did for Barrichello’s. I hate to say it can’t get any worse, but this is Williams, about the time you think they’ve turned the corner, they go off the edge and fall deeper.
good. i think this is what everyone wanted.
I have no idea why sauber wasn’t an option.
Ouch! That just put a serious hole in next years budget, Maldonado’s purse was considerable. Having not really been in the hunt since 03, I despair for Williams returning to the front. This year Red Bull and Lotus provided the Renault powered comparison point, next year it’s Merc, McLaren and Force India. Will Williams ever turn this around?
PDVSA is paying a hefty fee for breaching the contract, and Massa is bringing some money with him. I think for 2014 they won’t miss any money. Longer term, though….
I very happy to see Massa in Williams. I got feeling that Williams started preparations for 2014 very early so their car should be fine.
That’s great news for Felipe Massa, but I wonder where Maldonado will be signing on now.
There might not be a place for him at Lotus if their Quanta (Quantum?) deal goes through, although Hülkenberg’s refusal to drive for Lotus in the last two races of this season might hurt his chances. Sauber might even have two pay-drivers in Sirotkin and Gutierrez if Hülkenberg doesn’t stay with the Swiss team. Force India would be an unlikely choice, as they had always chosen not to use pay-drivers.
The only realistic team where the Venezuelan driver could find a (temporary?) home is McLaren. Would they retire Button early – he said weeks ago, that his contract was done, if I remember correctly – or cut Perez?