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Niki Lauda thinks it is possible Williams and Ferrari will line up in 2016 with unchanged driver lineups. It has been strongly rumoured that Williams' Valtteri Bottas could move to Ferrari next year, likely ending the career of his older Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen.
It means Raikkonen has a very good reason to shine on his favourite circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, this weekend, Lauda said. "Spa is a very good track for Kimi," Lauda, the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman, is quoted by the Finnish newspaper Ilta Sanomat. "If he does a great race there, his chances to stay at Ferrari are higher," he added.
On his recent visit to the MotoGP race in the Czech Republic, Lauda was also quoted by Italy's Sport Mediaset: "Raikkonen's opportunity to win at Spa is as good as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's. I think he will be really motivated," Lauda added.
As for Bottas' chances of switching to Ferrari, the very latest speculation is that a deal fell over because Williams was demanding millions for his release. Lauda, a close colleague of Bottas' manager Toto Wolff, agreed: "I believe that Bottas will remain at Williams." (GMM)
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G. Zhou
Replies (3)
Login to replykhasmir
Posts: 893
I never had any reason to think otherwise so far, pretty sure not much will change. Same drivers for Williams, Merc, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Torro Rosso. Maybe even Sauber and Force India, unless Hulkenberg takes the risk to join Haas (pretty sure he is high on their list). If Renault buys back Lotus I think it will be exit Pastor so that is a factor. Manor is a big unkown for me, probably will depend if they find another driver with a big sponsor.
Not sure there will be a seat available for Stoffel Vandoorne, which is a damn shame.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, Renault returning would mean Total would sponsor them, and oil companies generally dont sponsor one team together, so Maldonado's current sponsor PDVSA wouldn't be needed. And it would leave more room for a less crash prone driver. The grid will likely remain pretty much intact, a few changes with Haas returning, and potentially Manor or some of the less backed teams leaving the grid, but thats it.
khasmir
Posts: 893
Oops, I forgot that Sauber had already confirmed their drivers for next year. So even less chance for changes, and since Kimi has now been confirmed at Ferrari for next year...