Valtteri Bottas spent 2012 as a reserve driver at Williams. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Backer Says Bottas Not Like Other Pay-Drivers: Valtteri Bottas is not like other 'pay drivers' on the F1 grid, his main backer insists. The young Finn, set to debut for Williams next year, is backed by Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, whose company Wirhuri is a global industry and trade conglomerate. Aarnio-Wihuri is quoted by Turun Sanomat: "I have a personal acquaintance with Frank Williams, which played a role. On next year's car we will have big ads. We are talking about substantial sums, but not tens of millions, as has been mentioned for some of the other (F1) drivers. We hope to get back the money we have invested through the advertising."

Rolex Becomes F1's Official Timekeeper: Luxury watchmaker Rolex has signed up as F1's official timekeeper. F1's official website said the "major" deal is a "long-term" one. "This is an exciting step for us at Rolex as the fit between Formula One and our brand feels very natural and, like all great partnerships, needs little explanation," Rolex CEO Gian Ricciardo Marini said. Until now, the logo of Korean electronics brand LG has featured on F1 timing. Wednesday's statement said Rolex "will give the time in different locations during each Grand Prix," while the logo will be featured around the circuits. "Without question Rolex is the partner of choice for a world class sporting series like Formula One," said F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Qinghua In Talks With Caterham, Marussia?: When the mere survival of HRT looked bleak, the Spanish team's Chinese development driver Ma Qinghua started to look elsewhere. That is the claim of the Diario AS newspaper, reporting that the 24-year-old Shanghai-born driver entered talks with other F1 backmarkers Caterham and Marussia. Each of those teams are yet to confirm their second race drivers for the 2013 season. AS said Qinghua's management, China Sport Management, opened talks with Caterham and Marussia around the time of the recent Austin and Brazil double-header. The news is a real blow to HRT's chances of remaining in Formula One, as rumors had suggested China Sport Management was involved in talks to rescue the ailing Spanish team.

Zanardi, Alguersuari, Senna Linked With DTM Move: Three well-known F1 names are being linked with the premier German touring car championship DTM. When former F1 and Champ Car driver Alex Zanardi recently tested a modified hand-controlled BMW, the 46-year-old played down suggestions his next project could be a DTM race seat. But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said there is a chance the popular Italian will soon be chosen by BMW. "Who will drive the eighth BMW M3 DTM in the coming season will be announced at a later date," a spokesman is quoted as saying. Former Toro Rosso driver and 2012 Pirelli tester Jaime Alguersuari has also been linked with the seat. And Portuguese reports say 2012 Williams driver Bruno Senna, who has been replaced for 2013 by Valtteri Bottas, did some test laps at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz DTM car at the Estoril circuit at the beginning of this week.