Valtteri Bottas admits speculation over Ferrari move is 'disturbing'

Finn tipped to replace Kimi Raikkonen at the Scuderia in 2016 

Valtteri Bottas admits the speculation surrounding his future and a potential move from Williams to Ferrari is disturbing.

The 2011 GP3 champion has been tipped to replace compatriot Kimi Raikkonen at the Scuderia as the Finn struggles to match the pace and form of Sebastian Vettel.

Indeed, the Italian press have already reported that a deal to buy Bottas out of his Williams contract has been agreed by Ferrari.

 

"Once you're in the car you don't think about any speculation there is," Bottas said.

"There is nothing in your mind other than driving, but out of the car of course it is disturbing when there are some rumours.

"People are asking the same questions all of the time but it is Formula 1 and you have to deal with it. For me it doesn't make any difference who the speculation is with.

"In principle it isn't fair to Williams or to Kimi, there is nothing confirmed as to what will happen – it will be best just to leave us in peace and we can focus on the driving. When there is news it will be announced."

Despite regularly being the team to take the fight to Mercedes over the past two seasons, Williams are yet to win a race, with Red Bull in 2014 and Ferrari this season the only outfits to topple the Silver Arrows since the start of last year.

However, after witnessing Vettel take his second win of the season at the Hungaroring, Bottas thinks a victory could still be on the cards for the Grove squad this year.

"Mercedes are really strong at the moment but Ferrari showed in Budapest that it is possible to beat them," he added.

"Never say never, we are still aiming to win races, they have a really quick car but anything can happen in motor sport. We need to believe in it and take every opportunity – it could be there this season.

"Beating Mercedes in the team points or drivers' standings is very difficult at the moment so we need to keep working.

"The season so far has been mixed for us. We were definitely aiming to make improvements from last year but we are, more or less with the results, in the same position as we were last year.

"We have a couple of podiums so that is positive but there have been some difficult races, like the last race - we didn't get any points but we are halfway and we need to look forward, learn from our mistakes and move on."