Nasr to slot into Bottas' seat at Williams for 2016

The 'silly season' looks set to burst into life. Italy's Corriere dello Sport on Friday reports that Williams has agreed a EUR 12 million buyout by Ferrari of Valtteri Bottas' 2016 contract 'option'. And the Rome-based daily said the man slotting into Bottas' Williams seat next year will be the British team's former reserve driver, Felipe Nasr.

Corriere dello Sport predicted Bottas' move, tipped to be announced officially in early August once the 2016 option on Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari deal runs out, will trigger a "domino effect" on the driver market involving "at least four teams". Brazilian Nasr, who stepped up from the Williams reserve seat to make his grand prix debut with Sauber this year, carries the significant sponsorship of Banco do Brasil.

Earlier this week, the 22-year-old had been quoted by Brazil's UOL Esporte as playing down the rumours of a return to Williams for 2016. "For my part I have not heard anything yet," he said. "Of course there are always rumours. But I'm still committed to Sauber, we have a plan to improve the car in 2016, we have a lot of work going on and have hired a new (technical) boss," Nasr, referring to Mark Smith, added.

But last month, Nasr admitted his frustration with Sauber's stalled car development in 2015, reportedly calling a recurring brake problem "unacceptable". When asked by Brazil's Globo about a potential return to Williams, he answered: "I think it's too early to talk about it. I am committed to Sauber." But as for Grove based Williams, Nasr continued: "I had a great year with them in 2014 so I see the door open. Who knows if in the future an opportunity there may arise." (GMM)

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    Come on guys, again that same Italian tabloid crap...
    If you make one random prediction after another, at some point you will get luck and get it right. But what's the point???

    BTW, I don't think any team wants two hot-tempered Brazilian drivers at the same time ;)

    • + 0
    • Jul 17 2015 - 18:23
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    What did I say... It's boring being right all the time... ;)

    • + 0
    • Jul 23 2015 - 17:29

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 209
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (36)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar