Bottas to Ferrari in 2016?

[RedRebel40]

Reports in Italy suggest Valtteri Bottas’s Formula 1 future may well be coloured in red.

Former double world champion Mika Hakkinen, now involved in the management of the Williams driver’s career, said this week that if he was the decision-maker at Ferrari, he is not sure he would retain Kimi Raikkonen.

On the other hand, “Valtteri showed how well he can handle the pressure” as he raced Sebastian Vettel in Bahrain, Hakkinen told his sponsor Hermes in an interview.

“It was exactly the sort of strong nerves that drivers need in the fight for world championships,” he insisted.

Media sources now suggest that Bottas may have already penned a preliminary contract with Maranello based Ferrari.

The rumours also indicate that the forthcoming F1 entrant Haas, which is being widely referred to as a Ferrari B-team, could house Raikkonen next year, as the Finn is pushing for the 2016 ‘option’ in his contract to be signed.

Finally, the rumours suggest Williams would fill the seat vacated by Bottas with Pascal Wehrlein, who is engine supplier Mercedes’ reserve driver.

To accommodate the Bottas-Wehrlein movement, Mercedes may be prepared to discount the fee paid for its engines by Williams, who recorded a $50 million financial loss in 2014.

[AfterLife]

Every single scenario in the article is possible except the Kimi Raikkonen signing for Haas. I don't think that can happen.

I still believe if Ferrari are looking for a driver, Nico Hulkenberg is the best choice right now. Although I don't think Ferrari let Nico Hulkenberg to drive in both Le mans and Formula1 together.

Edit: I didn't mention Daniel Ricciardo as a possible replacement, because I think he is still committed to RedBull.

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

Every single scenario in the article is possible except the Kimi Raikkonen signing for Haas. I don't think that can happen.

I still believe if Ferrari are looking for a driver, Nico Hulkenberg is the best choice right now.

I agree great talent wasted in midfield but sadly this is f1 and probably won't get a top drive

[Rishu]

It won't be as easy as it sounds. I'm pretty sure Mercedes has its one eye on Bottas, specially when Rosberg looks fragile & defeated.

[racingbradley]

I would prefer a latin driver at Ferrari and feel that Perez burned his bridges by going to Macca.
It shouldn't have caused him any harm but it appears to have lowed his stock.
I still think that in the right car he is a gutsy driver and a pleasure to watch. Re Malaysia 2012
As for Daniel he would fit the bill but would Seb want him as a team mate again so soon after leaving RB

[mirafiori]

I would prefer a latin driver at Ferrari and feel that Perez burned his bridges by going to Macca.
It shouldn't have caused him any harm but it appears to have lowed his stock.
I still think that in the right car he is a gutsy driver and a pleasure to watch. Re Malaysia 2012
As for Daniel he would fit the bill but would Seb want him as a team mate again so soon after leaving RB

Bottas would be a good choice for Ferrari, looks like 2 chain Hamilton is off the menu for now which suits me fine.

[Winter]

There must be some kind of "broken phone effect" happening here because when I heard the Bottas to Ferrari rumor, it was that Bottas would be going to Haas for 2016 and when Kimi retires, Bottas step in in 2017. That would make at least some sense. Kimi would quit racing to the spot, if his only option would be B-team

[Rob]

we shall see, i know Bottas has option for next year at William. We just have to wait and see. Im not much of a fan of Bottas. Should sign up Schuey jr get hi on our ADA program.

[Tony]

So basically this rumour is based on speculation from Mika Hakkinen?

[ferrari4life]

HAMILTON...HAMILTON...HAMILTON...HAMILTON!!!!






Did you see that he is going to be in the new Zoolander movie..fashion.....Italian...perfect match for Ferrari!!!




Just to drum up some arguments from people that feel like they actually have a say in the matter. Have a great day.

[Ed Harley]

According to media it is Williams who has an option to retain Bottas for 2016. According to the same article this option prevents the driver to sign even a pre-contract as long as the option is valid.

[GreenTree]

The only reason why Ferrari would go for Bottas over Kimi is because they would want Vettel to have an easier No.1 time of it from 2016 onwards.

Considering Kimi is matching and even quicker in race pace than Vettel, it will save Ferrari some solutions on putting their eggs in one basket.

With Kimi, it's simply beating anyone. Also, he is one of the strongest and prestigious drivers on the current grid, not prone to and simply questioning any untoward inferior strategy given to him during races. I think Ferrari would only prefer Bottas coz they believe he will quietly do a No.2 job.

As Kimi showed in Bahrain, He would simply find a way around to drive the wheels off on inferior strategy on pit stops and beat anyone. Kimi would have beaten Vettel in China and Bahrain.

Bottas simply lacks those skills at the moment, so depends really on what plans Ferrari got with Vettel.

[ferrari4life]

The only reason why Ferrari would go for Bottas over Kimi is because they would want Vettel to have an easier No.1 time of it from 2016 onwards.

Considering Kimi is matching and even quicker in race pace than Vettel, it will save Ferrari some solutions on putting their eggs in one basket.

With Kimi, it's simply beating anyone. Also, he is one of the strongest and prestigious drivers on the current grid, not prone to and simply questioning any untoward inferior strategy given to him during races. I think Ferrari would only prefer Bottas coz they believe he will quietly do a No.2 job.

As Kimi showed in Bahrain, He would simply find a way around to drive the wheels off on inferior strategy on pit stops and beat anyone. Kimi would have beaten Vettel in China and Bahrain.

Bottas simply lacks those skills at the moment, so depends really on what plans Ferrari got with Vettel.

to me it seems like Kimi only comes alive when he is in search of a contract.

[Ed Harley]

In my humble opinion he 'comes alive' when he has a car which handles in a way that allows him to drive it the way he wants.

[GreenTree]

to me it seems like Kimi only comes alive when he is in search of a contract.

Well, Kimi was alive and well in 2001, 2002, 03, 04, 2005, 2007, 2012

Notice how Kimi is more alive in years when he isn't in search of a contract. I fail to see what you are implying.

Kimi is the only driver in the grid to have actually walked away from Formula 1, proving beyond doubt he isn't hell bent on staying. If you understand that, you'll appreciate him better.

[Hornet]

The only reason why Ferrari would go for Bottas over Kimi is because they would want Vettel to have an easier No.1 time of it from 2016 onwards.

Considering Kimi is matching and even quicker in race pace than Vettel, it will save Ferrari some solutions on putting their eggs in one basket.

With Kimi, it's simply beating anyone. Also, he is one of the strongest and prestigious drivers on the current grid, not prone to and simply questioning any untoward inferior strategy given to him during races. I think Ferrari would only prefer Bottas coz they believe he will quietly do a No.2 job.

As Kimi showed in Bahrain, He would simply find a way around to drive the wheels off on inferior strategy on pit stops and beat anyone. Kimi would have beaten Vettel in China and Bahrain.

Bottas simply lacks those skills at the moment, so depends really on what plans Ferrari got with Vettel.

Strange how you came to that conclusion base on a single race only.

I guess you don't think Ferrari is capable of being fair to their drivers

[Winter]

to me it seems like Kimi only comes alive when he is in search of a contract.

Who he tried to impress with his superb later half of 09? Ford? Citroen? Subaru?

[wisepie]

Bottas would be a good choice for Ferrari, looks like 2 chain Hamilton is off the menu for now which suits me fine.

Thank heaven that reduces the chances of HAM in red, and much as I think BOT is a great driver, I'd love to see an Italian or Latin driver in the team. Please.

[Winter]

According to media it is Williams who has an option to retain Bottas for 2016. According to the same article this option prevents the driver to sign even a pre-contract as long as the option is valid.

Contracts today seems to be just a way to get big money from the team who buys a driver you "own".

[wickedf1]

Thank heaven that reduces the chances of HAM in red, and much as I think BOT is a great driver, I'd love to see an Italian or Latin driver in the team. Please.

Why? Don't you want the best driver for Ferrari? I don't think the best driver is HAM, but I do think it is driver without Latin background right now. Maybe later there comes a Latin driver, but not now.

I think Bottas is good for 2017 if Kimi wants retiring then. He is fast like Vettel and Raikkonen. The drivers have to have the good relationship and the Finns in F1 are good in that.

Right now Vettel will mostly do better qualifying and Kimi maybe faster because he has better tyre wear. So this way they can compete if it is a good day for them both. People think they don't want to race, but they Do! Maybe as the fans we think many things that are not true.

[Greig]

Who he tried to impress with his superb later half of 09? Ford? Citroen? Subaru?

Pretty much anyone once he realised he was being dumped for Alonso.

But this story comes from Mika who off course is just using the Ferrari name to get his driver a better deal elsewhere.

[evo_spook]

So basically this rumour is based on speculation from Mika Hakkinen?

A mikka who is his manager and would get a big pay day if it happened.

I don't see the point of signing someone who struggles to beat massa

[Greig]

I don't see the point of signing someone who struggles to beat massa

Kimi says hi

[Ed Harley]

Scuderia Ferrari chooses it's drivers despite of what people on an internet forum think of them.

Perhaps some of the younger talents to ride shotgun for Seb.

[Tifoso]

Scuderia Ferrari chooses it's drivers despite of what people on an internet forum think of them.

Obviously, or they wouldn't have chosen Kimi.

[Ed Harley]

Or Seb.

[Greig]

Scuderia Ferrari chooses it's drivers despite of what people on an internet forum think of them.

Perhaps some of the younger talents to ride shotgun for Seb.

Indeed they do, but we can discuss it anyway.

[Tifoso]

Or Seb.

But I like Seb.






*joking about Kimi, obviously

[Ed Harley]

Me too. Who wouldn't like him?

[GreenTree]

Pretty much anyone once he realised he was being dumped for Alonso.

More like Alonso paid Kimi $25 Million to buy his seat via Santander.

Last I saw Kimi is still with Ferrari, lapping Alonso