Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsWilliams

Bottas manager positive on Williams future

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With Kimi Raikkonen remaining at Ferrari for another year, rumors of Valtteri Bottas' move to Maranello have been put to rest.

Speaking to Autosport, the Finn's manager, Didier Coton says that while Williams has yet to exercise the option its detains over Bottas' services, ongoing discussions remain firmly positive.

"The discussions on that with Williams started a long time ago," Coton says. "We didn't wait for all these rumours to start doing our job."

"Honestly, I've no idea as to when they will announce anything, it depends on whatever it depends on. It is up to the team. All I can say is I have discussions ongoing with Claire Williams, and they are all positive."

It is believed that while Ferrari did indeed ponder the hiring of Bottas, the rumored 10 million pound amount to free the Finn from his Williams contract may have been deemed excessive by Maurizio Arrivabene, the Scuderia's team principal.

Unfazed by his personal contractual situation, Valtteri Bottas is now wholly focused on racing at one of his preferred venues with the ambition of achieving once again a strong result.

"Spa is one of my favourite circuits. The feeling of Eau Rouge in a F1 is hard to explain and certainly unique, it’s just incredible. The layout is normally strongly suited to the characteristics of our car as well, so I head to this weekend looking for a strong result."

"I was on the podium last year, so we are looking to achieve a similar result. The weather always plays a part throughout the weekend so we have to be alert as it can change so fast."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.