Raikkonen deal fuels Verstappen to Ferrari rumours

Italian sports publication La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Ferrari is looking to secure the services of Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen for 2017 after picking up Kimi Raikkonen’s 2016 option.

On the back of an impressive rookie season, the Dutchman’s name had already been linked to Maranello when speculation was rife regarding the Finn’s future.

Although Raikkonen was confirmed alongside Sebastian Vettel for next year during the Belgian Grand Prix week, this does not mean the Italian rumour mill has stopped.

Verstappen’s potential move to Ferrari would reportedly be part of a much broader and radical shift in the supply of power units triggered by Renault’s return as a works team should it take over Lotus. Indeed, the French constructor would stop partnering Red Bull and Toro Rosso in 2016, thus forcing both teams to look elsewhere for engines.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milton Keynes would turn to current benchmark Mercedes – with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s blessing – while its junior squad would return to the Ferrari fold after leaving for Renault at the end of 2013.

Such a rapprochement would then eventually lead to Verstappen making the short trip from Faenza to Maranello in 2017 after Ferrari would have overseen his progress for one season.

While still highly speculative, the report further underlines the 17-year-old’s rapidly growing reputation in F1. Following another impressive performance that saw him recover from P18 to eighth at Spa, Verstappen currently sits 10^th in the 2015 drivers’ standings with 26 points.

Click here for a lighter look at the Belgian Grand Prix, courtesy of F1i special contributor Eric Silbermann.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter