Bottas denies being Williams team leader

Valtteri Bottas has played down suggestions his job description is fundamentally changing for 2017.

Ever since debuting for Williams in 2013, the Finn has had a more experienced teammate, most recently the Ferrari veteran Felipe Massa.

But Massa is being replaced by teenager Lance Stroll for 2017; the second-youngest rookie in F1 history.

Some think Bottas will necessarily be the Williams ’team leader’, but the 27-year-old insisted: "My job doesn’t change in any way.

"My job is to get the most I can out of the car and the team," he is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper.

"Outside the car, then of course I am ready to help Lance if it is needed. But Lance is a young and skilful driver who will definitely learn quickly," Bottas added.