ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 26: Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Williams walks in the Paddock before final practice for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 26, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

It has been confirmed in the last few minutes that Lewis Hamilton's new teammate in 2017 will be Valtteri Bottas.

Bottas was rumoured to be the man of choice not long after Nico Rosberg announced his retirement and after an initial offer to the Williams team for the Finn’s services was rejected, the F1 world knew it was just a matter of time.

While Mercedes tried to keep the suspense going by releasing pieces of a picture, firstly Pascal Wehrlien to Sauber, then Felipe Massa to Williams and the final piece of the puzzle revealed with a live announcement on their website, the Williams team were a lot more eager and let the cat out of the bag much earlier.