Bottas to partner Hamilton at Mercedes

Berlin (AFP) – The Mercedes Formula One team on Monday named Valtteri Bottas as the new partner for Lewis Hamilton for 2017.

The 27-year-old Finn moves from Williams just a few weeks after Nico Rosberg sensationally retired after beating Hamilton to the 2016 title.

While Rosberg and Hamilton were arch-rivals, Bottas said at the team headquarters that he wanted a good relationship.

“I am sure we are going to be very close,” he said.

“I am sure we are going to work as a team.”