“The markets are very difficult out there,” the Austrian explained.
“We have a commercial reality. There is always that trade-off [between money
and talent]. That is something which all teams ask themselves.
“But Valtteri is a relaxed driver, a big talent and I’m sure he can step
up. He will have his rookie season next year but I don’t want to make
excuses for him. In Formula One you have to be able to cope with the
pressure. Next year we aim to be leading the midfield teams and annoying the
big guys from time to time. It is important to score regular points.”
Bottas said his aim was to “improve as a driver, to score point consistently
and to minimise mistakes”.
He added that he hoped to be able to match or even beat his new team mate
Pastor Maldonado in the second half of the 2013 season. “Pastor is
going to be a really strong team mate,” Bottas said. “He will be a nice
reference point. But I have a lot to learn.”
Wolff did not confirm who would replace Bottas as Williams’ reserve driver
for 2013, saying only that it was a big decision as it was “important not to
lose out on the next generation of Williams drivers”.
He did, though, appear to rule out his wife, Susie, who is currently a development
driver with the team, suggesting she would remain where she was “unless
Ferrari nick her away from us”.
As for Senna, the announcement leaves the nephew of the late, great triple
champion without a Formula One drive for next year and with few seats
available. Force India and Caterham are yet to name their second drivers and
would appear to be the only realistic options for the 29 year-old.
The Brazilian released a statement thanking Williams and saying that it had
been “extremely satisfying to be the team’s most regular point scorer”
in 2012.
“I had some notable achievements this year, such as the fastest lap in the
Belgian GP – my favourite track – scoring points on a regular basis
and making up many, many places through the races,” Senna said.
He added that he would “confirm his Formula One plans soon.”
2013 grid so far:
Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber
Ferrari
Fernando Alonso
Felipe Massa
McLaren
Jenson Button
Sergio Perez
Lotus
Kimi Raikkonen
Romain Grosjean *
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton
Nico Rosberg
Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg
Esteban Gutierrez
Force India-Mercedes
Paul di Resta
drive available
Williams
Pastor Maldonado
Valtteri Bottas
Toro Rosso
Daniel Ricciardo
Jean-Eric Vergne
Caterham
Charles Pic
drive available
Marussia
Timo Glock
Max Chilton *
HRT-Cosworth**
Pedro de la Rosa
drive available
* Drive not yet officially confirmed
** HRT team’s future unclear