Mika Salo: 'Valtteri Bottas likely to stay at Williams'

Valtteri Bottas of Williams in the paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on April 28, 2016
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Valtteri Bottas looks set to stay at Williams next year, according to former F1 driver Mika Salo.

Valtteri Bottas looks set to stay at Williams next year, according to former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo.

Finn Bottas has been eyeing a move elsewhere for the past couple of seasons, but Salo says that Kimi Raikkonen's new Ferrari deal means that Bottas will surely stay put at F1's fourth-quickest team.

"He no longer has any hurry," Salo, also a Finn, told Finnish broadcaster MTV.

"Mercedes is full, Ferrari is full, Red Bull is full. Where else would he want to go when the next team is Williams?"

Salo, who drove for F1 teams including Ferrari and Toyota, thinks that Williams will also be keen to stick with Bottas for 2017, having developed the now 26-year-old.

"Valtteri is an extremely good driver who fits with the team very well, so I could see them wanting to hold on to him for the next 10 years," he insisted.

Williams are fourth in the team rankings following Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Felipe Massa of Williams poses for a portrait during day one of F1 winter testing at Circuit de Catalunya on March 1, 2016
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