Bottas hopes for future clarity by Monza

Jul.6 (GMM) Even Carlos Sainz has found himself embroiled in the increasingly explosive 'silly season'.

His fellow rookie teammate Max Verstappen, although just 17, was already linked with a sensational switch to Ferrari to replace the struggling Kimi Raikkonen.

But also Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg's names have been mentioned, and now the impressive 20-year-old Sainz has been thrown in the mix.

"The truth is that it would not be right if I started to think about Ferrari," Toro Rosso rookie Sainz told the Spanish sports daily Marca.

"I'm in (the middle of) this season. Of course if the opportunity comes, you'd have to take it, that's for sure, but I'm just thinking about what I have to learn now."

In truth, Finn Bottas is surely the clear favourite in the event Ferrari does oust Raikkonen.

On the latest cover of the Italian magazine Autosprint, the Williams driver has even been 'photoshopped' in red overalls and cap.

When asked about that, Bottas smiled to Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper: "There are all sorts of comments and pictures all over the place, but the fact is that there is still no certainty about the future.

"Hopefully, like last year, around Monza time at the latest I will know something," he added.