Wolff plays down threat to Bottas’ F1 future

Toto Wolff has played down the uncertainty surrounding Valtteri Bottas’ future on the F1 grid.

According to rumours, Williams is considering a full shake-up of its current driver lineup for 2017, with development driver Lance Stroll’s billionaire father said to have put together $35 million in backing.

And Jenson Button is currently the other favourite.

"I hope that he’s in formula one next year," technical director Pat Symonds said in Hungary, "whether it be with Williams or elsewhere."

Finn Bottas also admitted the uncertainty in Hungary, saying that his outlook for 2017 "is still open at this point".

The 26-year-old’s career is co-managed by Didier Coton, Mika Hakkinen as well as Toto Wolff, who is also Mercedes’ team boss.

Wolff told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat in Hungary: "Valtteri is an integral part of the Williams team at this time.

"It is about team stability there, as it is with us (Mercedes). No Finns have to be concerned about Valtteri’s future," Wolff insisted.