F1: Bottas wants to stay at Williams

Valtteri Bottas wants to extend his stay at Williams beyond this season because he feels there is a lot more they can achieve together in Formula 1.

The Finn joined Williams as a test driver in 2010 before graduating to a race seat in '13 and finishing an impressive fourth in the drivers' standings the following year. He has gone on to score six podiums across those three and a half seasons but a race win has proved elusive.

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His and Felipe Massa's contracts expire at the end of the season, although it is believed Williams has an option on Bottas for 2017.

When asked if he felt there was unfinished business with Williams, Bottas said: "I think so. We haven't achieved together what our goals were. We definitely want to at least win a race together – it was close a few times.

"With this team, it can be better than this, better than 2014. It would be nice to be part of it but we have to wait and see if it is possible together."

Bottas has taken a more hands-on approach with negotiating his next deal and is pleased with how that is progressing.

"It is nice for me to be able to speak directly to the team and I only want to do it because I'm interested in my own career," he said. "It doesn't disturb me at all with regards to the way I work with the team, the way I perform on track.

"It's not done any harm. I would guess any team manager would appreciate to speak to the driver directly. Some drivers don't like to do it but for me it is OK and I like it.

"Normally, it's been around September time I've had the green light or confirmation for next year. It will be after the August break that things hopefully start to develop and I will know where I will be racing next year. My job is to try and perform on the track and when the time is right, try and make decisions for next year."

Originally on Autosport.com