Formula 1's Latest Rumours, Talk: Williams' Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, More

Lance Stroll will become the second-youngest driver in Formula One history when he makes his grand prix debut with Williams at the beginning of 2017.

The 18-year-old Canadian has been chosen to replace the retiring Felipe Massa after dominating the FIA European Formula Three Championship in 2016.

And Stroll has expressed his excitement ahead of his debut season, as well as dismissing the idea that he is nothing more than a standard pay driver.

Stroll will be partnered by Valtteri Bottas, who will begin his fifth season as a Williams driver at next year's Australian Grand Prix.

The Finn's solid performances in recent years had seen him linked with a move to bigger team, with Renault expressing an interest as this season progressed, but Bottas has explained why he feels at home at Williams.

As a fresh face arrives in F1, one of the sport's most senior figures could be set for a comeback.

Former Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is in line to return to F1 as part of the Liberty Media revolution, although the 61-year-old has denied he has agreed a deal with the sport's new owners.

Brawn is best remembered for his time with Ferrari, where he won six constructors' championships and five drivers' championships alongside Michael Schumacher.

Christian Horner has been regarded as a future Ferrari team principal in recent years, but the Red Bull boss has committed his long-term future to his current team, saying he has no itching desire to join the Prancing Horse.

Closing our latest roundup is Daniil Kvyat, who has admitted he was beginning to fear for his F1 future before Toro Rosso offered him a contract extension for 2017. 

Lance Stroll Excited for 2017 After Securing Williams Seat

Stroll has expressed his delight after being named as Massa's replacement at Williams for the 2017 F1 season.

After Massa's retirement was confirmed on the eve of September's Italian GP, Stroll—who joined Williams as a development driver last November—quickly emerged as the leading candidate to succeed the Brazilian.

Although a deal was agreed some time ago, Williams were forced to delay the announcement until after Stroll's 18th birthday on October 29 to avoid upsetting title sponsors Martini, as reported by Motorsport.com's Roberto Chinchero.

Stroll, who comfortably won the prestigious FIA European Formula Three series in 2016, has been preparing for his F1 debut by driving a two-year-old Williams car in private test sessions in recent months.

And after finally being confirmed as a Williams driver on Thursday morning, the Canadian—son of billionaire Lawrence Stroll—is excited to get started.

He told the team's official website:

"

To be racing in Formula One in 2017 is incredible, I can’t thank Williams enough for showing faith in my ability. Racing in F1 was something I dreamt about as a young kid. When I began karting seriously, F1 was then the ultimate goal and especially when I started racing cars in 2014.

2017 is going to be a big learning curve for me, but I’m eager to absorb everything Williams can share with me so that I improve. I’ll be taking things on a race-by-race, lap-by-lap basis and hopefully progress with experience like I did when I entered Formula 4 and then Formula 3.

I believe contesting the FIA European Formula 3 Championship for the past two years has prepared me well for the step up. There are many elements for me to learn and I’m still young. I’ve been experiencing a 2014-spec Williams FW36 since August, which has gone very well. The power is incredible. I’m learning about the car, the incredible downforce, DRS and tyre management, finding a rhythm and finding the limit. I’m becoming more comfortable and confident with each run.

I’ve enjoyed success in karting, F4, Toyota Racing Series and most recently F3—winning every category I’ve competed in—so I believe I have earned a shot in F1. I’m very thankful to everyone who has helped me to reach this level.

"

Claire Williams, the deputy team principal, told the same source how the British outfit have been impressed by Stroll's "maturity, talent and enthusiasm" since he joined the team in late 2015.

According to Sky Sports, Claire Williams said Stroll's wealth was not a decisive factor in their signing of the teenager, arguing the team would never choose their drivers based on financial reasons alone.

Asked whether he is fearful of being dismissed as a so-called pay driver, Stroll said his record in the junior categories proves he is deserving of a place in F1.

Per the same source, he argued: "Everyone has their own opinion, I can't change that. I come from money, I can't deny that, but I believe I have earned my chance in F1 as I've won every championship I've competed in."

Meanwhile, Claire Williams confirmed her father, legendary team principal Sir Frank Williams, has left hospital after contracting pneumonia in September, per Motorsport.com's Pablo Elizalde and Jonathan Noble.

Valtteri Bottas Feels at Home at Williams After Extending Contract

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Bottas has revealed Williams feel like a family to him after turning down a move to Renault to commit his future to the team.

Having joined Williams as a development driver in 2010, the Finn graduated to a race seat in 2013 and has established himself as a potential grand prix winner in recent years, leading the team to third in the constructors' championship in 2014 and '15 with a total of eight podium finishes.

Bottas has been restricted to just one podium appearance in 2016, with the 27-year-old recently emerging as a potential team-mate to Nico Hulkenberg at Renault for next season.

As reported by Motorsport.com's Noble and Chinchero, Williams activated an option to extend Bottas' contract in September, but Renault's persistence led to the Finn asking the Enstone-based outfit for more time as he attempted to escape his 2017 Williams deal.

Having failed to cut his ties with Williams, however, Bottas will partner Stroll for next season and is hopeful the major regulation changes will allow the team to challenge for major honours in 2017.

He told the team's official website:

"

Firstly, I am very happy that I will be starting my fifth season racing for Williams in 2017. It’s going to be an exciting year with all the regulation changes and a great opportunity for the team to get closer to the front. I’ll be giving 100 per cent as always to the team. Thank you to Frank, Claire and the whole Williams Board for their continued trust in me. Also, thank you to everyone at Williams, as it will be nice to continue working together with everyone both at the factory and the track.

I’d also like to extend a very warm welcome from myself to Lance on joining the team. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

Williams is like my family. Going into next season, it will be eight years in total since I joined at the start of 2010, so it really does feel like home here. However, I still believe we haven’t yet achieved what we should, and can do together.

"

Claire Williams told the same source how Bottas is "a much-loved member of the team" whose experience will be valuable in terms of leading the team forward.

Ross Brawn Set to Return to F1 as Sporting Boss

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Brawn is set to return to F1 as the championship's sporting boss under new owners Liberty Media, it has emerged.

Having won multiple world championships with Schumacher and Jenson Button, Brawn is one of the most respected figures in modern F1, but he has not held a full-time role in the sport since leaving Mercedes at the end of 2013.

As reported by the Telegraph's Daniel Johnson, the 61-year-old recently said he has no interest in returning to the sport as a team boss, but he did admit he would be tempted to work in an official capacity.

He said:

"

I would never go back to a team. I did everything I can in a team, but I would be repeating myself.

For sure, trying to help F1 become a better F1 would be appealing. It would be the one thing that could be interesting. If you ask me what F1 needs, it needs a plan; a three-year and a five-year plan. My view is we haven’t got the ideal structure for creating that plan and implementing it over time.

"

And Brawn is set to help shape the future of F1, with German publication Auto Bild (h/t Crash.net) reporting he has already signed a contract with Liberty Media, which is in the process of completing a takeover from current majority shareholder CVC Capital Partners.

As reported by F1 journalist James Allen, Brawn will not directly replace F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone but will be responsible for forming sporting and technical regulations as well as liaising between the teams and governing body the FIA.

Per BBC Sport's Andrew Benson, Brawn has denied he has agreed a deal with Liberty Media, saying he is merely "doing a little consulting to help them better understand F1" and suggesting his future depends on that of Ecclestone, who is being kept on board for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Ecclestone has told Autosport (h/t Eurosport) Brawn should join the FIA, where "he would be absolutely first class," rather than joining him in a role under Liberty Media's ownership, adding: "We don't need an engineer, or anybody like Ross's job."

Although Allen noted the relationship between Brawn and Ecclestone has fluctuated over the years, the former told Johnson he has no issues with the 76-year-old. However, he added "it would be an interesting combination" if the two men ever worked together.

Earlier this year, Button backed Brawn to return to F1 in a rule-making position, suggesting his former team principal would be an ideal fit for the role, per ESPN F1's Laurence Edmondson.

Christian Horner Has No Interest in Becoming Ferrari's Next Team Principal

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Horner has said he has no interest in becoming Ferrari's next team principal amid speculation over the future of Maurizio Arrivabene.

Having guided Red Bull to four consecutive world championships with Sebastian Vettel between 2010 and '13, Horner is widely regarded as one of the most impressive leaders in F1, with the team recovering from a winless 2015 to emerge as the closest challengers to the dominant Mercedes outfit this season.

Red Bull's resurgence has only further embarrassed Ferrari, who entered 2016 targeting a first world championship in eight years but remain without a victory with just two races remaining.

Ferrari's disappointing campaign has left Arrivabene under pressure, with the team principal and chairman Sergio Marchionne recently accused of installing a culture of fear at the Prancing Horse by former employee Luca Baldisserri, per Italy's Corriere dello Sport (h/t Motorsport.com's Elizalde).

Horner is adamant he and chief technical officer Adrian Newey—who turned down a move to Ferrari in 2014, per the Guardian's Paul Weaver—are committed to Red Bull for the long term.

On whether a switch to Ferrari would appeal to him, he told Sky Sports News HQ:

"

I’ve got absolutely no burning desire to do that.

I’m very happy where I am, I’m committed to the team until 2020. Adrian’s also committed on a long-term agreement that involves other factors as well that we’ve ventured into like designing a road car for Aston Martin.

So our objective and desire is to get ourselves back into a winning position and really take the fight to Mercedes over the next couple of years.

"

After a mid-season reshuffle that saw technical director James Allison replaced by Mattia Binotto, Arrivabene said Ferrari had no interest in adding to their workforce, per F1i.com's Chris Medland, but a move for one of the brightest technical minds in the paddock could be on the horizon.

During Sky Sports' television coverage of the Mexican GP, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff failed to deny rumours that Paddy Lowe—a key figure behind the Silver Arrows' astronomical success in recent years—could join Ferrari.

Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz later suggested Lowe, who turned down an approach from Ferrari earlier this year, may be eager for a new challenge after leading Mercedes to three consecutive drivers' and constructors' world championships.

Daniil Kvyat Feared for F1 Future Before Toro Rosso 2017 Announcement

Peter Fox/Getty Images

Kvyat has admitted he was "nervous" before learning of Toro Rosso's decision to retain him for the 2017 season.

The Russian's F1 future was plunged into serious doubt when he became the first driver in Red Bull's history to be demoted to B team Toro Rosso in May.

With Red Bull junior driver Pierre Gasly excelling in the GP2 feeder series, the Frenchman was widely expected to partner Carlos Sainz Jr. in 2017, but Kvyat's contract extension was confirmed on the eve of the United States GP.

Kvyat, who has revealed he was approached by other teams before agreeing a new deal, has expressed his gratitude to Red Bull and Toro Rosso for sparing him the anxiety of waiting for a decision on his future.

According to Autosport (h/t Eurosport), he said:

"

It was getting to the point where it was important to know [plans for 2017] because otherwise it would have started to be nervous times.

And they were starting to be nervous times.

I wasn't standing still, I was looking for the answers. I was getting a bit impatient in a way.

I'm grateful to Red Bull I got these answers early on.

It is distracting, it's not the nicest feeling.

On the other hand, it's good to see there was interest somewhere else as well, which wasn't a bad thing.

What and where, there is no point discussing this because now I'm now fixed with Toro Rosso and there is nothing else that needs to be spoken about.

Red Bull gave me a chance and I know this team.

Changing teams consistently means no consistency.

Next year, it seems it offers opportunities to everyone and we hope to be the ones that will be making the most out of it.

I feel like I still have a lot to give and a lot to show, and I'm grateful it was Red Bull to give me the opportunity and not someone else.

"

Per Motorsport.com's Valentin Khorounzhiy and Erwin Jaeggi, Kvyat admitted he cannot wait for 2016 to come to an end, referring to this year as "a survival season" as he fought for his F1 future.

Toro Rosso's decision to keep Kvyat is a major blow to Gasly's career prospects, but the 20-year-old may yet find a place on the 2017 grid.

As reported by a print edition of Autosport magazine, Red Bull adviser Dr. Helmut Marko has held discussions with Manor owner Stephen Fitzpatrick with a view to placing Gasly alongside Mercedes protege Pascal Wehrlein next season.

Follow @OllieHarden