Deputy team principal Claire Williams confessed that she would be disappointed if Valtteri Bottas’ first-ever Formula One win came with any other team than Williams Martini Racing.
The Fin managed to secure nine podiums in his F1 career, though failed to win a single race during his 73 total attempts. However, if Renault is successful is signing him for next season and beyond, a victory for Bottas in a Williams car could forever escape him.
“As I keep saying to him, I can’t wait to give him a car that he can win a race in,” stated Claire Williams in an interview with Autosport. “He started his career with us, he has given us a lot of his time, he’s stuck by us and he’s been loyal to the team in good times and bad. So I want Williams to be the team that gives him his first race win – that is the objective at the moment.”
Before Renault’s rumored interest in Bottas, the Fin was being linked to Ferrari during the 2015 season, however, his team principal feels that he’s learned to cope with these types of rumors.
“The speculation around Ferrari last year was a big lesson for him to learn how you have to manage when you are a driver with the talent he has, as there are always going to be rumors and speculations about you,” she said.
Williams also had plenty of nice things to say about Bottas’ driving style, adding that he is “so calm and smooth” behind the wheel and that he’s been very dependable for the team – which also reflects in the 2016 Driver Standings where the only other drivers with more points than Bottas race for Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.
That being said, would you like to see Bottas join Renault next year or continue fighting alongside Williams?
