2
Deputy team principal of Williams Claire Williams finds confidence in their 2017 driver line up of Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll. Massa, one of the most experienced drivers on the grid will be joined by rookie Lance Stroll, who dominated the European Formula 3 championship in 2016.
Massa originally ended his career at the end of the 2016 season but rapidly decided to do '180' and climb back into the Williams when it was announced his former team mate Valtteri Bottas was leaving to join Mercedes.
Stroll will be the only rookie in the 2017 field and will be looking to learn a lot from his experienced Brazilian team mate. Williams thinks that despite the age and experience gap, they will bring the team some strong results.
Williams said: "Our [new] pairing is somewhat similar; we had in Valtteri an experienced driver, with four seasons under his belt, and now we have Felipe, with his 15 years of experience. One of the most important considerations is how well the drivers will work.
"Our predominant focus is on the Constructors' Championship so for us, having two drivers that know and understand the importance that we place on the Constructors' is critical.
"Lance and Felipe worked together last year, because Lance was part of the development programme that we had, [so] they've spent time together and we know they get on already. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can both bring to each other."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
134,234 comments on Sauber
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
613,908 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (2)
Login to replyyellowfly81
Posts: 79
I'm really confident that Lance will deliver, and the F1 paddock is a poorer place without Felipe!
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Disagree. It takes a couple of years to grow into F1 and not sure if Felipe is at his best, I would have rather seen Hulkenberg or Ocon in the Williams, their drivers reflect where the williams team is currently. They really need a manufactor deal to get ahead they will always be behind the factory team. Like we saw last year.