F1: Massa refuses to confirm Williams agreement

Felipe Massa has refused to confirm whether he has an agreement with Williams to return to the team if Valtteri Bottas were to leave.

Williams has been keen to line up a replacement for Bottas since being approached by Mercedes last week, with the defending champions keen to hire to the Finn to take the seat vacated by drivers' champion Nico Rosberg. Massa was named by deputy team principal Claire Williams as the sort of driver the team would need if it were to allow Bottas to move, despite the Brazilian having retired from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

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While a number of media reports on Tuesday claimed Massa has accepted an offer to return in 2017, the 35-year-old has now said such reports are "not official" as he is enjoying a holiday with his family. However, he did not deny he could reverse his decision to retire.

"I have nothing to say," Massa is quoted as telling Brazilian broadcaster Globo. "I'm very calm here and don't want to participate in [the speculation]. Everything that has been said so far is not official."

RACER understands Williams has been lobbying Massa to return to the team, offering a one-year deal to partner 18-year-old rookie Lance Stroll next season. Williams wants to keep at least one of its 2016 drivers in order to ensure continuity and experience ahead of the introduction of new regulations next season. The team also needs to ensure one of its drivers is over the age of 25 to appease title sponsor Martini.

Massa's potential return is one of a number of ongoing discussions at Williams, with chief technical officer Pat Symonds leaving the team at the end of the month and Mercedes executive director (technical) Paddy Lowe linked with a move to Grove. Rob Smedley's future role is also unclear, with Williams contemplating moving the head of vehicle performance to a factory-based position.