Bottas to Ferrari, Nasr to Williams

Valtteri Bottas has reached a deal with Ferrari to replace Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen in 2016.That is the claim of Italy's Corriere dello Sport on Friday, adding that the Maranello team will therefore not exercise the 2016 option on Raikkonen's existing contract.That option does not expire until July 31, and so there will be no official confirmation of the Bottas deal "at least until that date," the newspaper said.

The report revealed that Ferrari reached an agreement with Williams, Bottas' current team. Williams held an option on the 25-year-old's services for next year.
Corriere dello Sport said the deal, brokered by Bottas' experienced manager Didier Coton, amounts to some $13 million.

Corriere dello Sport correspondent Fulvio Solms backs the decision to oust Raikkonen."Kimi did not fit with the last two Ferrari cars," he told Speed Week. "He did not fit with the new team management. Sometimes he seems not to fit even with himself."

The Corriere dello Sport adds that the man slotting into Bottas' Williams seat next year will be the British team's former reserve driver, Felipe Nasr.Corriere dello Sport predicts Bottas' move will trigger a "domino effect" on the driver market involving "at least four teams."


Source: http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/f1-ferrari-valtteri-bottas-kimi-raikkonen-felipe-nasr-williams-071715

Well that's a shame as a Williams fan. Though I think Hulkenberg would have been more interesting to watch in a Williams instead of Nasr, but Nasr does have that big sponsor so I guess I can't blame them for choosing him.

Italian source reporting on Ferrari? While I believe the part about Bottas to Ferrari is true, I'll wait for official word on Nasr to Williams. I still think Hulkenberg has the seat, but we will see.
I always thought Nasr would take Massa's seat when he retires maybe 2-3 years down the line.

Don't believe a word of Corriere until it's been announced by a more creditable source ie La Gazzetta. La Corriere is famed in Italy for it's bullshit rumours so I wouldn't accept it as a done deal yet. As a Ferrari fan however, I would absolutely love the idea of Bottas at Ferrari-an idea which would complete my day in all honesty. As great a driver Kimi was for us, I think it's time he went back to rally or maybe Le Mans and allow a young driver with a brilliant future such as Valteri, Lello Marciello or similar to make their way into the team. The ideal driver imo would be Jules Bianchi, and I'm certain that he would be the replacement for Kimi if it wasn't for his misfortunate accident last year.

Milan655 wrote:The ideal driver imo would be Jules Bianchi, and I'm certain that he would be the replacement for Kimi if it wasn't for his misfortunate accident last year.

Agreed 110%. Without a doubt if not for that accident, Bianchi would be the best replacement at Ferrari for Raikkonen. As for Bottas, I'm happy that he's gonna get a great opportunity next year, although it will be tough for him to match one of the best in the modern era of F1, that of course being Vettel.