Bottas forever 'grateful' to Williams

Jul.16 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he will always be "grateful" to Williams for bringing him into formula one.

The Finn was speaking amid ever-growing speculation that he is first in line for a switch to Ferrari next year, in the event the fabled Maranello team ousts countryman Kimi Raikkonen.

25-year-old Bottas, however, played down the rumours.

"I think the first time I was linked to Ferrari was last year so now it's back," he smiled. "But for me nothing has changed since the last time the question was asked. There is no new information to give.

"At some point we will know what will happen, but it's not yet," Bottas told Sky at the recent British grand prix.

It was at Silverstone that Williams actually looked to have overtaken the resurgent Ferrari and had a shot at victory, even though ultimately the white cars finished behind the red ones.

So given the 'Williams versus Ferrari' battle for supremacy behind Mercedes in 2015, it might be a tough decision if Bottas ultimately does get to make a call.

"I think this team (Williams) can win," he said. "It's not impossible.

"At the moment it's difficult times because Mercedes is really dominant and Ferrari made a big jump from last year and we've not moved forward that much compared to others.

"But we're pushing, we're trying everything we can and I think we're making progress at the moment. There's still a long way to go until the season ends," Bottas added.

And no matter what colour overalls he is wearing in 2016, Bottas said he will always be grateful to Williams, who gave him his shot at formula one.

"Of course. I think all my life I will be really grateful to Williams that I got the opportunity to go into formula one, first as a test driver then as race driver. So for sure I will be forever very thankful," he said.