Massa tore up Formula E deal!

Felipe Massa's return to Formula 1 - or staying rather - appears to be done and dusted as everyone awaits the official announcement of Valtteri Bottas' signing with Mercedes.

It has now emerged that the Brazilian driver was forced to break off a deal to race in the burgeoning Formula FE series.

According to Spanish sports daily Marca, Massa had apparently agreed terms with an FE team.

But when Nico Rosberg announced his shock retirement and Mercedes went into overdrive to seek a replacement and set its sights on Valtteri Bottas, Massa was left with no other alternative but to back out of the deal, albeit on amicable terms.

"The deal was done," correspondent Jaime Martin said.

"However, with Rosberg's decision, everything changed."

Mercedes announcement that it has recruited Bottas is imminent, and should be followed, or indeed grouped, with news that Massa will be extending his stay at Williams.

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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.