Bottas hopeful of Williams contract extension

Jun.13 (GMM) Williams disappointed ranks of Finnish journalists this week by failing to announce the extension of rookie Valtteri Bottas' contract.

The reporters were summoned to Helsinki for a press conference, to be attended by the 23-year-old as well as his F1 team boss, Sir Frank Williams.

Surely, the journalists thought, it will be announced that Bottas' contract will be extended to include 2014, particularly after deputy boss Claire Williams said the Oxfordshire based team is "convinced we have a future world champion on our hands".

However, no announcement was made.

Asked about Claire Williams' comments, Bottas told the broadcaster MTV3: "Sure, that sounds good! It (staying at Williams) would be great, so let's hope so."

He said he is not worried about the forthcoming contract negotiations.

"There's no point thinking about it too much," said Bottas. "The best thing I can do is focus on the racing and do my best."

Williams has struggled for pace in the early phase of Bottas' career, but the young Finn has shown well alongside teammate Pastor Maldonado, and last Saturday he qualified third in the wet conditions in Montreal.

"I think Canada was good for me in that I was able to show my skills," he said. "It is not so easy to see what you are doing when you are fifteenth.

"Hopefully I have shown that I really deserve my place."

Sir Frank Williams admitted he is happy with Bottas.

"Valtteri is a wonderful young man," said the 71-year-old in Helsinki, according to Turun Sanomat newspaper.

"He is very popular and cooperative within the team, and he absorbs himself in everything he sees and hears.

"He doesn't talk much, but that's because he listens," Williams beamed.