Pat Symond’s isn’t surprised Valtteri Bottas is attracting the interest of other teams but hopes the Finn can see the long-term potential at Williams.
The 2011 GP3 champion is being tipped to replace compatriot Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari and both drivers are out of contract at the end of the season.
Williams’ brought Bottas into F1 originally as test driver in 2012, where he gained experience with Friday outings before graduating to a race seat the following season. Thus he has seen Williams' rapid rise up the pecking order over the last two years and Symond’s hopes Bottas can see what the nine-time constructors’ champions could achieve.
“He’s certainly on their radar and so he should be,” Symonds told Sky Sports F1.
“He is a damn-good driver and he is certainly one of the top of the up-and-coming group at the moment and therefore it is no surprise to see other teams courting him.
“But I think one mustn’t underestimate what Williams can give him as well and, as a team, we are building up, we’ve had a fabulous rise over the last couple of seasons and we are sustaining it, which is the important thing.
“So I would like to think Valtteri can see into the future and see where we might get to. We are all aware of some quite famous drivers who jump at the wrong time.”
Bottas’ team-mate, Felipe Massa, spent eight years as a race driver at Ferrari and wouldn’t advice the Finn against moving to the Scuderia. However, he predicts the 25-year-old will stay at Williams.
“I will say what I believe is the right thing to do,” Massa told Sky Sports News HQ.
“He shows he has amazing a talent, he shows he can win races and win championships, so definitely some other teams are looking at him like Ferrari, maybe Red Bull or maybe Mercedes.
“I think next year he will stay where he is, next year he will be with Williams. He is doing a fantastic job with the team. I think we work very, very well together and we help the team to get better all the time. I am sure he will have his opportunity to go to a top team and he needs to go. If he has the opportunity to go and it is the right time, then why not?”
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