Reports link Brawn, Costa, Bottas with Ferrari (3rd Update)
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(GMM) Williams is not taking seriously reports star driver Valtteri Bottas is looking to replace Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen next year.
The seat occupied by fellow Finn Raikkonen, who struggled at the Maranello team last year, is technically open for 2016 due to the existence of a contract 'option'.
"If it goes badly and I don't sign it then I don't sign it," Raikkonen said at the recent Jerez test.
When asked about the potential vacancy, Bottas – who last year marked himself out as a champion of the future with his six podiums – answered last week: "I don't know anything about Kimi's contract.
"All I know is that I want to be in the quickest car available. That's all I can say," he told F1's official website.
When faced with the comments, which might be interpreted as Bottas putting Williams on notice that he is eyeing a move elsewhere, deputy boss Claire Williams said she thinks her driver was "taken out of context".
"We were the team that brought him into formula one and he feels hugely comfortable within our team," she told British broadcaster Sky.
"Of course, he's a racing driver and wants to have the fastest car. I think those comments were taken out of context.
"At the moment we're providing him with a competitive race car that finished the season probably the closest to the Mercedes on the grid, so why wouldn't he want to stay with us?" added Williams.
"I spend a lot of time with him and I talk to him a lot and I know that where he wants to be at the moment is Williams."
UPDATE #2 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has played down reports linking his future outside of Williams.
The Finn's career to date has been powered and championed by the Grove team, and he was the star last year as Williams ended 2014 as arguably dominant Mercedes' closest challenger.
But 25-year-old Bottas has also attracted attention elsewhere, as he is now linked with a potential move to Ferrari for 2016.
And mere days ago, his manager Toto Wolff said Bottas would be considered in the event Lewis Hamilton does not stay at Mercedes beyond this season.
Referring to Williams, however, Bottas is quoted by Finland's MTV3: "I trust this team.
"I do not think there will be any serious negotiations this year.
"We have very good people on the technical side, the rules are very similar to last year so if the car is basically good, we can improve it even more," he added.
Meanwhile, Bottas welcomed suggestions F1 could be targeting an improvement of the engine regulations in coming seasons so as to put 1000 horse power at the drivers' disposal.
"From the drivers' point of view," he said, "the more power there is, the better."
12/23/14 This rumor is downgraded to 'false'….for now. New Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene denied speculation Aldo Costa or Ross Brawn will be the next high-profile arrivals at Maranello. "The team is there," he insisted. "There is no great news to be announced, no surprises. We have to believe in the people we have."
11/23/14
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| It was Costa and Brawn that once made Ferrari great, designed the Brawn F1 car that beat the big boys and made this year's Mercedes so fast. Perhaps Vettel knew exactly what he was doing moving to Ferrari. |
(GMM) The latest names linked with Ferrari are Ross Brawn and Valtteri Bottas.
On Saturday, reports emerged that amid its thorough 2014 shakeup, the beleaguered great Ferrari could now be set to oust its new boss Marco Mattiacci.
The name linked with the job was Marlboro executive Maurizio Arrivabene.
But not only him. Britain's Sky and Germany's Auto Motor und Sport – as well as several other authoritative sources – are mentioning Briton Brawn.
Also linked with a sensational return to Maranello is Aldo Costa, who left Ferrari in 2011 and was responsible for the design of the dominant 2014 Mercedes.
The German newspaper Bild said: "We have learned that Arrivabene is not coming alone. Ross Brawn could be the new technical director."
Brawn, who has been enjoying his sabbatical since stepping down as Mercedes team boss, reportedly denied the news on Saturday.
But Bild said that is "only because Ferrari is yet to meet some of his conditions".
Italy's La Stampa said Ferrari insists it is all "just rumors".
Finally, Italiaracing reports that Ferrari is eying the impressive Williams driver Valtteri Bottas to replace his Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen in 2016.