FELIPE Massa says he would not have returned to Formula 1 for any other team after coming out of retirement to rejoin Grove-based Williams.

The 35-year-old quit the sport at the end of last season, but performed a U-turn on Monday following Valtteri Bottas’s move to world champions Mercedes.

Massa, who began his F1 career in 2002, will join up with new teammate and rookie Lance Stroll for 2017.

The Brazilian had ended a three-year stint with Williams in November, and there was only one team he would have returned to the sport for.

He said: “I have a passion for racing, for competing and for fighting on the track.

“My return is not about seeing Formula 1 as the best option, but is about seeing the role at Williams as the best option.

“I would not have returned for any other team.”

Bottas had been linked with a move to Brackley-based Mercedes since world champion Nico Rosberg announced his retirement in December.

The 27-year-old Finn joins Lewis Hamilton in the team and describes the move as an “exciting time”.

He added: “I think it’s going to to take a while to understand that this is really happening.

“It’s definitely another dream come true, to race in another team with such great history – especially in the recent years, which have been so impressive.”

Massa has experience of fighting for world championships, most notably during his eight years with Ferrari.

He describes Bottas’s move to Mercedes a “great opportunity” for his old teammate.

The Brazilian added: “He is a talented racer and it was great working alongside him for three years.

“I wish him all the best for the next chapter of his career.”