Raikkonen's 'fading interest' could open Ferrari door for Bottas

Valtteri Bottas' primary sponsor in Formula 1 has suggested that the Finn could replace his compatriot Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari in 2019. Bottas is contracted to Mercedes for this season, but the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon have been linked with his seat.

After replacing the retired Nico Rosberg at short notice last year, Bottas finished third in the drivers' standings, though a mid-season blip ended any hopes he had of challenging for the title with Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Bottas has conceded that he is under pressure to deliver for the Silver Arrows in 2018, but his season could not have started much worse in Australia.

A crash in qualifying meant he started 15th on the grid and he could only work his way to eighth before the chequered flag fell as he, like many others, found overtaking difficult at Albert Park.

Hamilton lamented his team-mate's absence from the fight at the front, saying Ferrari benefitted from having "two versus one" as Vettel capitalised on the Virtual Safety Car to sneak a victory.

Bottas' future with the constructors' champion remain unclear, but his billionaire backer believes he could still earn a top drive next year.

"I think it's likely that Valtteri will continue with Mercedes, but in Formula 1 anything can happen," Antti Aarnio-Wihuri told Urheilulehti.

"I think Raikkonen's time is coming to an end. Last year we saw that his driving started to become inconsistent. Probably his interest is starting to fade."

"Valtteri's move to Ferrari can still be quite possible. But of course, every F1 driver dreams of driving for Ferrari at some point."

Raikkonen finished third in Australia, despite outqualifying Vettel as his team-mate's good fortune under the VSC also bumped the veteran down the order.