Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium): Williams Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has termed the rumours about him replacing Kimi Raikkonen in Ferrari as “simply not true and unfair”.

Ferrari on Wednesday confirmed Raikkonen will stay on as Sebastian Vettel’s teammate for 2016, ending months of speculation about his future.

“What was rumoured was simply not true, and it didn’t do any good for mine and the team’s relationship. These kinds of rumours are pretty unfair,” Bottas was quoted as saying by Formula 1.com on Thursday.

When asked if any unnecessary pressure distracted him or his team recently, the Finn said: “The key word is ‘unnecessary’ because most of what was rumoured was simply not true. So these kinds of rumours are pretty unfair. From now on it will be easier as everybody knows what the situation is.

“Legends don’t make it for me — it’s the quickest car that does! That’s where you want to be. The goal is to win races and championships — and if that means you have to ‘go’ to the quickest car then you have to try and do that,” he said, when asked if Ferrari was his dream agenda.

Bottas will compete at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Speaking about his performance this season the 25-year-old said: “Not everything has been perfect. It was a difficult start into the season with the back injury. But I think I have done some pretty good races and I feel I’ve done a pretty good job with this car.

“Yes, I would like to sit in a car that is a bit quicker, but I think as a team we can do it for next year if I stay here.”