Nine-time grand prix winner Mark Webber has advised his former Williams team to “leave Felipe Massa to relax” and turn to LMP1 - the premier category of the World Endurance Championship - to pick Valtteri Bottas’ potential replacement.
Following Nico Rosberg’s shock departure from Formula One, the Finn has emerged as the front-running candidate to replace the 2016 world champion at Mercedes.
Although the German manufacturer won’t make any announcement until after the New Year, Williams has reportedly offered £5 million to Massa to return and replace his former team-mate.
The Brazilian announced his retirement from the sport last September and made what should have been his 250th and final start in Abu Dhabi three weeks ago.
Webber, who drove for Williams in 2005 and 2006, believes the British outfit would be better off chasing top LMP1 drivers such as Brendon Hartley, Sebastian Buemi, or Lucas di Grassi, all of whom have previous F1 experience as test or full-time drivers and have been starring in WEC in recent years.
Bottas to Merc huh. Williams, Leave FM to relax, had a great career. Go 4 LMP1 star. Hartley, Buemi, Di Grassi hungry, technical and fast.
— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) December 19, 2016
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