Williams have confirmed that Valtteri Bottas is to remain at the team in 2017, joined by Canadian teenager Lance Stroll. The 18-year old dominated this year’s European F3 championship, winning 14 races. Having only started racing in cars in 2014, he is fairly inexperienced, but the success of younger drivers such as Verstappen has proved that experience isn’t everything.
Stroll is excited to be given the opportunity to race in Formula One next season, saying that:
“2017 is going to be a big learning curve for me, but I’m eager to absorb everything Williams can share with me so that I improve. I’ll be taking things on a race-by-race, lap-by-lap basis and hopefully progress with experience like I did when I entered Formula 4 and then Formula 3.”
“I believe contesting the FIA European Formula 3 Championship for the past two years has prepared me well for the step up. There are many elements for me to learn and I’m still young. I’ve been experiencing a 2014-spec Williams FW36 since August, which has gone very well. The power is incredible. I’m learning about the car, the incredible downforce, DRS and tyre management, finding a rhythm and finding the limit. I’m becoming more comfortable and confident with each run.”
Next season will be Valtteri Bottas’ 5th season in Formula One and, with 9 podiums since his debut in 2013, will be a tough teammate to beat for newcomer Stroll.