2016 F1 Season

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Not sure I understand your point, you mean Bottas might go back to Williams after one year or..?

Massa is retiring (from F1) after this season, 100% guaranteed. Only reason why Williams signed him is that there's literally no one else left, Button had already committed to his off-year (also asked too much $$ when Williams was negotiating with him during the summer before they decided to bring along paydriver Stroll) and no other veterans available. This is just buying them time to get someone else for 2018 to pair with Stroll.

WHAT HAPPENED TO Doornbos, who was supposed to be next in line and now there were rumblings that both Red Bull drivers were approached before Mercedes landed Bottas

 

[SoupyFIN]

WHAT HAPPENED TO Doornbos, who was supposed to be next in line

Robert Doornbos? It's been a decade since he was involved with F1 (aka. 3 years before the Mercedes F1 team was founded) and he doesn't even race anymore.

and now there were rumblings that both Red Bull drivers were approached before Mercedes landed Bottas

Realistically Ricciardo, Verstappen or Sainz were never for sale, those RB contracts are bulletproof until you become a proven champion ála Vettel.

Bottas was the easiest piece to acquire from the top half drivers. Mercedes needed a driver, Williams is a financially limited team and Bottas would've probably left after 2017 anyway. Demand & supply met.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Time for 2017.

2017 F1 Season