Valtteri Bottas has been confirmed as Pastor Maldonado’s partner with the Williams team next year.
Williams has cast Brazilian Bruno Senna free from the squad, a move he had been anticipating after Bottas drove in 15 of the 20 Friday practice sessions this season.
“Since the beginning of my programme with Williams I accepted that I had to share the car with Valtteri for 15 Fridays as a part of his preparation for a likely debut in 2013,” Senna was quoted in Autosport magazine said.
Senna finished 16th in the Championship, one place behind Maldonado who cracked his maiden F1 win at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the year.
Williams boss Toto Wolff says the squad expects the Finn Valtteri to start scoring points in his first year with the Grove team.
Valtteri is bringing money into the team however will not be given the latitude of easing his way into his rookie grand prix season and will be required to crack regular top 10 finishes.
Meanwhile Senna, who set the fastest lap at Spa-Franchorchamps during the Belgian GP, is expected to announce his plans for 2013 in the near future.
