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Valtteri Bottas has reached a deal with Ferrari to replace Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen from 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 31 July, 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 Bottas' current team Williams, who had a firm 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 EUR 12 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." (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I begin to doubt the credibility of these italian magazines. In any case, if these rumors are correct Im not sure its a good step. Bottas is an incredible driver, but he seems to fit in Williams so well, and Im not sure Ferrari will get the most from him. But maybe they want a younger driver alongside Vettel by Ferrari and intend to place Kimi in Haas next year or something.
khasmir
Posts: 893
Pfffft, claims and speculation... We will see it when it happens, this shit is for the tabloids.
khasmir
Posts: 893
You guys want some official news? Both Ferrari and Bottas his manager say this is, and I quote: "complete bullshit". Can we please ignore these attention whores who don't have any real news to report so they just make it up as they go along...
And you guys just play along with titles like "Bottas reaches an agreement with Ferrari for 2016" which is just complete and utter bullshit and speculation. This makes me sad and demotes this site to the level of low level tabloids. Really really sad...