One of world’s worst kept secrets is now official. Finn Valtteri Bottas moves to Mercedes after a decent stint with Williams opening the room for Felipe Massa to return back to the Grove team after retirement u-turn.
All this comes because the reigning World Champion Nico Rosberg decided to retire just a week after clinching his maiden World Championship. Mercedes said that it will take time before they decide who’s going to partner Lewis Hamilton and hence took a good two months to decide.
The biggest surprise has to be Felipe Massa’s return to the F1 grid after getting an emotional farewell in Brazil 2016.
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Read how the Twitter reacted to the first major news of 2017:
Hmmm… actually, we're not sure…
Might take us a while to get to the bo77om of this #F1 mystery…— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) January 16, 2017
What do you reckon?
One more piece to Finnish the 2017 #F1 puzzle?— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) January 16, 2017
Great coup by #Mercedes .Valtteri Bottas is a top prospect. Great platform for the guy to try & emulate his fellow countryman. #F1
— ÔηK@Я (@_souringpie) January 16, 2017
Happy to hear that @ValtteriBottas will drive for @MercedesAMGF1 in 2017 ,But also doubting about the young driver program
— Jonas W. (@Jonas_1799) January 16, 2017
Congratulations @ValtteriBottas on the new contract! Looking forward on working with you in 2017 as well #VB77 #ValtteriBottas #Kemppi
— Kemppi (@Kemppi_Welding) January 16, 2017
Trading Places!!! @ValtteriBottas @MassaFelipe19 @PWehrlein @MercedesAMGF1 @williamsf1team #F1 #Bottas #Massa #Mercedes #Williams pic.twitter.com/lXvGcrD7oL
— Jake Davis (@JakeDDCreative) January 11, 2017
On his strange and shock comeback, Felipe Massa said, “I am very happy to have an opportunity to return to Williams,”
“I always intended to race somewhere in 2017, but Williams is a team close to my heart and I have respect for everything it is trying to achieve.
“Valtteri has a great opportunity, given the turn of events over the winter, and I wish him all the best at Mercedes.
“In turn, when I was offered the chance to help Williams with their 2017 campaign, it felt like the right thing to do.
“I certainly have not lost any of my enthusiasm for racing and I’m extremely motivated to be coming back to drive the FW40.”
Paddy Lowe joins Williams from Mercedes which will definitely be a big boost for the Grove based team.
So happy for @ValtteriBottas to get an opportunity in a championship potential car + welcome back @MassaFelipe19 you were just teasing us!
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) January 16, 2017
so after all the goodbyes and farewell Felipe Massa got in Brazil he's coming back to F1
— Sami Aberkani (@SamiAberkani) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/inaleakyboat/status/821016517139660802
https://twitter.com/Z3R0N0S/status/821016273186410496
The shortest retirement in F1 history. Welcome back @MassaFelipe19 #F1 https://t.co/BYMmL9Td5R
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) January 16, 2017
Look away now Felipe Massa… Mansell, Schumacher, Jones, this is when #F1 comebacks don't work out.https://t.co/7ykSue1vwX pic.twitter.com/S3x9xutsS8
— CRASH.NET/F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) January 6, 2017
At that time, I didn't know Felipe Massa will retire (AND WILL COME BACK SOON. DON'T BE SAD). I thought Felipe Nasr was in danger…
— AnisaAyuningtyas🇮🇩 (@AAyvningtyas) January 6, 2017
🔥 and ❄️ next year with @ValtteriBottas
— Marc T (@F1Tricky) January 6, 2017
No more secrets! I'll be driving a Silver Arrow in 2017. So happy and proud to be part of the @MercedesAMGF1 family! #F1 #VB77 #mbfamily pic.twitter.com/IOjUGDqPpc
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) January 16, 2017
Thank you @ValtteriBottas, loved your time at @WilliamsRacing – you'll be missed. Now go and take that 2017 title! #BO77AS
— Phil Dickens (@phildickens) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/Clarkey_44/status/821035094320283648
EXCLUSIVE: First interview with Valtteri Bottas – our new driver! https://t.co/5hpAnJe4by
— iOSoy Fer Luna Glez (@ferNike10) January 16, 2017
Erm, forget about all the various social media posts I made about Felipe Massa's retirement! It lasted a grand total of 7 weeks! 😂🙄 #F1
— Rob Manifield (@RobManifield) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/DareHeGoes/status/821036030245605376
TIL that Massa means pasta in Portuguese. Also Obrigado means "You haven't seen the last of me, bitchez" #felipemassa
— The Circus (@Circus_F1comic) January 16, 2017
Felipe Massa reacts to news that he'll have to give back his leaving gifts. 😉 pic.twitter.com/MNYLUmUPb3
— F1 Racing (@F1Racing_mag) January 16, 2017
The last piece of news came in the form of Pascal Wehrlein joining Sauber partnering Marcus Ericsson.
OFFICIAL #F1 Report: Sauber F1 – Pascal Wehrlein joins Sauber for 2017 season: The Sauber F1 Team is… https://t.co/kJfuTJJ3Hh © F1reports pic.twitter.com/bsGfTHkwe4
— F1Reports (@F1Reports) January 16, 2017
Very happy to announce that I will drive for @SauberF1Team 2017! ☺️
Thank you @SauberF1Team thank you @MercedesAMGF1!
— Pascal Wehrlein (@PWehrlein) January 16, 2017
We are pleased to announce that Pascal Wehrlein will complete our driver line-up for the #2017 #F1 season!https://t.co/YlejzBAK98 @PWehrlein
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) January 16, 2017
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I usually do the edges first… 😉
— Rachel Brookes (@RachelBrookesTV) January 16, 2017
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He's not a rookie anymore.
Mercedes driver Pascal Wehrlein will drive for Sauber in 2017.
Full story https://t.co/j4R4HU8AVq pic.twitter.com/cpkXxXiuys
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 16, 2017
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