Williams driver Valtteri Bottas is Mercedes' first choice to replace Nico Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate, BBC Sport has learned. But Williams have rejected an initial offer to release Finn Bottas from his 2017 contract. In a separate development, Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe is close to finalising a deal to join Williams. Lowe is set to be replaced at the world champions by former Ferrari technical director James Allison. The Mercedes driver conundrum Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has zeroed in on Bottas as his favoured option as a replacement for Rosberg, who retired five days after winning his first world title last month despite having two further years on his Mercedes...
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