Williams have denied speculation that a Canadian billionaire could soon buy into the British team.

The team's latest development driver is Lance Stroll, a 17-year-old Formula 3 star whose father is Lawrence Stroll, a fashion mogul who according to Forbes has a fortune totalling $2.4bn (£1.7bn).

However, Williams CEO Mike O'Driscoll said: "I think we've got a really strong shareholder structure today and we haven't had conversations with either Lawrence or anyone else about investing in the team."

Team deputy Claire Williams, however, doesn't deny that Williams's driver plans for 2017 and beyond are completely open, as she predicts a particularly tumultuous 'silly season' later this year.

She also does not rule out signing a so-called 'pay driver'.

"Is there something wrong with taking a driver who has talent and money?" she is quoted as saying by German broadcaster RTL. "It is double happiness.

"There seems to only be criticism when it is about some drivers. [Fernando] Alonso brings money, but does someone criticise a team when they take Alonso?

"Putting our two cars as far up the grid as possible week after week is always the top priority for us. We will make our decision as a group when the time is right."

Williams sit fourth in the team rankings after the first two grands prix of the season.