Frederic Vasseur thinks Valtteri Bottas is “under contract with Williams” for the 2017 Formula One season, which would make his signing “very complicated” for Renault.

Renault confirmed on Friday that Nico Hulkenberg had joined its works team on a multi-year deal, with several drivers in the frame for the second seat, including the current pairing of Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, as well as Manor rookie Esteban Ocon.

However, Bottas has recently emerged as a potential candidate. The 27-year-old has yet to confirm his plans for next year and Renault is open to having two team leaders in a bid to boost its recovery.

“I know him very well,” Vasseur said of Bottas to French-language newspaper L’Équipe. “I rate him very much and keep a close eye on what he is doing.”

“He is obviously among the drivers we have an interest in. But I think Valtteri is under contract with Williams. And when a driver is contracted to a team that does not want to let him go, it becomes very complicated indeed.”

Having made his grand prix debut at Williams in 2013, Bottas has nine podium-finishes and one fastest lap to his name in 73 starts. During his junior career, the Finn won the 2009 and 2010 Masters of Formula 3, as well as the 2011 GP3 Series, driving for the Vasseur-Led ART team.

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