Williams boss Claire Williams is counting on Felipe Massa to be instrumental in the team’s development and progress during the 2017 Formula 1 season which heralds the introduction of several major changes in technical regulations.
Speaking on Twitter, Williams said, “Felipe has obviously done 15 years in Formula 1 and is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid and going into a year when you have a clean-sweep when it comes to technical regulations.”
“Felipe is going to bring an enormous amount to the table this year, particularly from an engineering side. It’s probably going to be a year where you will see a huge amount of development on these cars from when they first take to the track in testing and then going to the first race in Australia,” explained Williams.
Ironically Massa ‘quit’ F1 at the end of 2016, but five days after the season ended Nico Rosberg shocked the sporting world by announcing his retirement and thus freeing up a highly coveted seat at Mercedes.
What transpired was a myriad of back-room negotiations which eventually resulted in Williams driver Valtteri Bottas moving to Mercedes, thus freeing up a seat at Williams which Massa was persuaded to fill for another year. He was only too keen to accept. Report here>>>
Williams continued, “Someone like Felipe, who is not only great in the car and consistent, will be important when it comes to testing, he will also be able to help with the development process right from the very start. So for us he will be instrumental in driving change and driving performance to the FW40 this year.”
Massa will team up with 18 year old rookie Lance Stroll whose lack of experience means that the the team will depend on the Brazilian veteran to take the team forward during the forthcoming season.
Claire Williams: "@MassaFelipe19 will be instrumental in driving change and driving performance to the FW40." #Williams40 #WeAreRacing #F1 http://pic.twitter.com/CqVCTcS2zf
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) February 2, 2017
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