JUNE 8, 2013

Talk of Rosberg to Ferrari, Maldonado to Lotus?

Summer in Europe has arrived, and that is the usual trigger for 'silly season'.

Summer in Europe has arrived, and that is the usual trigger for 'silly season'.

Spain's Marca sports newspaper said the first driver rumour in the Montreal paddock this weekend is that Felipe Massa is "impatient" for a new Ferrari contract for 2014.

But Germany's Bild newspaper said the Maranello based team actually has its eye on two Germans -- reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, and Monaco winner Nico Rosberg.

Regarding Mercedes' Rosberg, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said: "He is certainly one of the drivers that we have already considered.

"I'm not surprised that he is faster than Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. He has always been good, but now he has shown that he has matured."

Another rumour, according to Marca correspondent Marco Canseco, is that Williams' Pastor Maldonado is a possible successor in the event Lotus loses Kimi Raikkonen to Red Bull.

"The arrival of PDVSA as a team sponsor would be welcomed by (team owner) Gerard Lopez, of course," said Canseco.

(GMM)