Wolff: Mercedes has faith in Bottas but wants 2018 options open

The driver market is set for a big shake up at the end of 2017 when a host of contracts – including those of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso – come up for grabs. Furthermore, rising stars like Carlos Sainz could also be free.

That situation has impacted on the deal that Bottas has been handed in his move to replace Nico Rosberg.

Although there has been no official confirmation from Mercedes about the length of the deal, it is understood that Bottas has a one-year deal with options for an extension if he performs well.

Speaking to respected Finnish F1 commentator Oskari Saari on the Formulacast podcast on Wednesday, Wolff was keen to emphasise that Mercedes had faith that Bottas could deliver over the longer term.

However, he believed it was important for the team to be in a position to consider all its options for 2018, which is something Bottas accepted in his move from Williams.

"We wouldn't have chosen Valtteri if we thought that he was not good enough to continue with the team," said Wolff in response to a question about Bottas' one-year deal.

"But as a matter of fact, the market is very dynamic at the moment. Next year options open – young drivers, Sebastian, Fernando, Valtteri, many of them. So it is about understanding that - and Valtteri does.

"Equally 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."

Help Massa funding

In a separate interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Wolff also confirmed that there had been a financial contribution to Williams to help ease Bottas' exit, plus the return of Felipe Massa.

"Obviously we couldn't make requests without giving anything in return," he 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."