Nobody is surprised by the notion that Williams was incentivized by Mercedes to release Valtteri Bottas, as Claire Williams made it clear at the outset that any deal had to make financial sense.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Mercedes AMG F1 boss divulged the fact that a financial contribution was indeed provided to the Grove-based outfit to ease Bottas' move
"Obviously we couldn't make requests without giving anything in return," Wolff said.
"Claire Williams is a really capable businesswoman – like her father Frank. But we didn't only speak about business.
" For example, Williams needed a driver with experience, and it was necessary to get Massa to return.
"So now we are all satisfied – and obviously we have financially contributed to the return of Felipe."
On the subject of Bottas' one year contract, Wolff said he would like nothing more than to have the Finn at Mercedes for many years, but the onus was clearly on the driver.
"We have great faith and confidence in him that he can stay with us for a long time but now we need to see how the season goes."
GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia exposed once again the less flattering side of F1’s…
Isack Hadjar was anything but happy after Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, having seen a potential…
Lewis Hamilton achieved a top-three finish in Sepang on Sunday and yet he knew almost…
The FIA has explained why several Formula 1 cars suddenly lost power on the formation…
George Russell had every reason to feel hard done by after Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix…
Max Verstappen’s path to victory at Sepng was nearly derailed before he could even complete…