While many believe Valtteri Bottas will be heading to the gates of Maranello next year, any deal between Williams and the Scuderia for the services of the 25-year-old Finn is still a distant prospect.
According to German newspaper Bild, Ferrari have put a formal offer on the table to Williams to secure the services of the man who would replace countryman Kimi Raikkonen. But Claire Williams has supposedly rejected the proposal as the highly-rated Bottas remains contracted to Williams for 2016, and any offered amount would have to take into account the team's current option to its driver's services for next season.
Whether Ferrari would therefore be willing to increase its offer substantially is uncertain given various alternatives currently under consideration by the Scuderia's sporting director Maurizio Arrivabene.
Nico Hulkenberg may also be on Ferrari's short list although it's doubtful the Italian outfit would add another German driver alongside Sebastian Vettel. However, Hulkenberg replacing Bottas at Williams in the event the Finn is recruited by the Scuderia appears a more plausible scenario.
Valtteri Bottas himself is obviously mum on the matter although he values Williams as a top team which can potentially help him deliver a world championship title.
"Williams is among the top three teams in F1," Bottas told Sport Bild. “My goal is the title. If that is possible with Williams, I would be very happy. Of course at some point, life goes on and you do need to think about yourself.”
Click here for FIA President Jean Todt's thoughts on the current state of F1
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