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Canadian teen Stroll joins Williams line-up

He will now be given the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level as the new team-mate of Bottas, with Felipe Massa having already confirmed he will retire at the end of the present campaign.

Published : Nov 03, 2016 18:38 IST

Valtteri Bottas will start a fifth season at Williams. The Finn has managed nine podium finishes with the team to date, six of those coming in 2014.
Valtteri Bottas will start a fifth season at Williams. The Finn has managed nine podium finishes with the team to date, six of those coming in 2014.
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Valtteri Bottas will start a fifth season at Williams. The Finn has managed nine podium finishes with the team to date, six of those coming in 2014.

Williams has confirmed Canadian teenager Lance Stroll will partner Valtteri Bottas in their driver line-up for the 2017 Formula One season.

The son of a billionaire investor, Stroll only turned 18 last week but won this year's European Formula Three Championship.

He will now be given the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level as the new team-mate of Bottas, with Felipe Massa having already confirmed he will retire at the end of the present campaign.

Canada has not been represented on the F1 grid since Jacques Villeneuve, winner of the 1997 world title with Williams, ended his association with the series in 2006.

"To be racing in Formula One in 2017 is incredible, I can't thank Williams enough for showing faith in my ability," said Stroll in a statement released by the team.

"Racing in F1 was something I dreamt about as a young kid. When I began karting seriously, F1 was then the ultimate goal and especially when I started racing cars in 2014.

"I’ve enjoyed success in karting, F4, Toyota Racing Series and most recently F3 — winning every category I've competed in — so I believe I have earned a shot in F1. I'm very thankful to everyone who has helped me to reach this level."

Stroll is set to become the youngest man on next year's grid, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen the other teenager confirmed as having a drive.

Bottas, meanwhile, will start a fifth season at Williams. The Finn has managed nine podium finishes with the team to date, six of those coming in 2014.

"Williams is like my family," said the Finn. "It really does feel like home here. However, I still believe we haven't yet achieved what we should, and can do together."

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