Thursday 18 December 2014

Ferrari looking to sign Bottas in 2016

(Williams Martini Racing Team)

Scuderia Ferrari have reportedly sounded out Williams Martini Racing Team’s Valtteri Bottas in relation to the highly rated Finn joining the Maranello based outfit in 2016.

According to an article in the January issue of F1Racing Magazine, Bottas has agreed to discuss the possibility of replacing fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen as Sebastian Vettel’s team mate at the Italian team in 2016 when Raikkonen’s contract expires. Raikkonen endured an extremely difficult first season at Ferrari where he finished in 12th place in the championship on 55 points.

Valtteri Bottas had a fantastic 2014 season with Williams Martini Racing. The Finn secured six podium finishes on his way to finishing the season in fourth place in the championship on 186 points. Bottas’ highest qualifying result was a second place alongside team mate Felipe Massa at the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.

Bottas also started the German Grand Prix in second place. The Finn will remain at Williams Martini Racing for the 2015 Formula One season and it could be difficult for the Grove based outfit to keep the talented Finn who has been with the team since joining them as test driver in 2010.

It is also possible that Bottas could end up at Mercedes if Lewis Hamilton fails to reach an agreement over a contract extension with the Brackley based outfit. 

The 2014 world champion’s current contract runs until the end of the 2015 Formula One season. It is unlikely however that the Finn will join Mercedes as Toto Wolff along with former world champion Mika Hakkinen are involved in the management of the Finn’s Formula One career.

© Ben Johnston 2014


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