Bottas quiet amid early driver ’silly season’

Valtteri Bottas is keeping quiet amid early rumblings that, as in 2015, he could play a role in this year’s driver movement ’silly season’.

Although he ultimately stayed at Williams, the Finn was linked last year with a move to Ferrari, the fabled Italian team that is once again surrounded by rumours it may be on the market to replace Kimi Raikkonen.

"I am personally interested in what is happening on the driver market, but for now it’s still pretty quiet," Bottas, 26, is quoted by the Dutch publication Formule1.

"If there are as many rumours as there were last year, I guess I should be better able to deal with it now," he added.

When asked about whether he could once again be linked with Ferrari, Bottas said he is "not really saying anything" this time around.

And as for whether talks with Williams have already started, he replied simply: "No.

"I’m sure we’ll talk soon, but as for the exact timing there is no urgency at the moment. We’ll see."