Bottas replaces Senna at Williams

In one of the least surprising moves, Williams have confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will replace Bruno Senna for the 2013 season…

In one of the least surprising moves, Williams have confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will replace Bruno Senna for the 2013 season.

The 23-year-old Bottas, who has made several Friday practice appearances for the Grove-based squad this year, will race alongside Pastor Maldonado.

“In Pastor and Valtteri we have two of the most exciting talents in motor racing and I am especially excited about what 2013 can bring for Williams,” said team boss Sir Frank Williams.

“Pastor has always demonstrated remarkable pace and this year has seen him mature as a racing driver. Valtteri is quite simply one of the most talented young racing drivers I have come across and we expect great things from him in the future. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our departing driver Bruno Senna for his hard work over the past year and wish him the best of luck going forward.”

Bottas won the 2011 GP3 Championship and spent the past three seasons as Williams’ test driver.

”It has always been my life-long dream to compete in the Formula One World Championship,” the Finn said.

“To do so with one of the most legendary teams in the sport is incredibly special. I’ve really enjoyed my three years with Williams so far and feel very at home here so my goal was always to stay for 2013 and progress to a race seat. I’m looking forward to getting my Formula One career started and enjoying a lot of success with Williams.”