Valtteri Bottas' much-touted switch from Williams to join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes appears set to be clarified over the next week.
Claire Williams, deputy team principal of Bottas' current marque, has confirmed an announcement is imminent on whether the Finn will be free to fill the seat at Mercedes vacated by Nico Rosberg, who unexpectedly announced his retirement soon after winning last year's Formula One world title.
Williams acknowledged subsequent negotiations regarding Bottas' future have taken longer than seemed likely but added they will soon be concluded.
She also said it would 'not be nice to stop a driver who has such a great opportunity', if the deal is also good for the team.
"It has been dragging on, and I think everyone wants to know .," Williams told Sky Sports News.
"It is a great opportunity for Valtteri, and he has given a lot to Williams.
"We've always said if we can make this happen on terms that are positive for Williams then it is probably the right thing to do.
"No one needs or wants a driver in your team that really wants to be somewhere else. It is not nice either to stop a driver who has such a great opportunity, particularly at this point of Valtteri's career, but it has to work for Williams and that is what we've been working hard on over the past six weeks.
"We are nearly there; we are at the tail end of it and hope we'll be able to make an announcement this coming week."
Brazilian Felipe Massa is thought most likely to make a Formula One comeback at Williams if Bottas moves on.
Williams also admitted the constructors' interest in signing Paddy Lowe, formerly of Mercedes, as a new technical director.
"Of course someone like Paddy, now that he is available, is going to be appealing to us," she said.
"He started his career at Williams - and what team wouldn't want someone like Paddy Lowe?"
Source: PA
