Mercedes has been linked with a move for Williams driver Valtteri Bottas as it looks to fill the seat vacated by retiring world champion Nico Rosberg.Rosbergs shock decision to quit F1 left Mercedes with a big void going into 2017 and has seen a host of drivers tipped as potential replacements. Bottas, whose management stable includes Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, has been one name put forward, though this year he signed a deal to remain at Williams for 2017.Both BBC and Sky Sports have reported that Mercedes made an approach to have Bottas released from his contract which has been blocked by Williams. Bottas would be a logical replacement for Rosberg, as he is well regarded by Wolff and is more experienced than junior driver Pascal Wehrlein.When contacted by ESPN about the reports, a Williams spokesperson refused to comment, saying simply: We have announced our 2017 driver line up.If a move for Bottas was successful it would leave Williams looking for a replacement to partner 2017 rookie Lance Stroll, though Mercedes could potentially sweeten any deal with their junior driver as he is yet to secure a seat for next season. The news came just days after Motorsport.com reported Mercedes technical chief Paddy Lowe, whose contract expires at the end of December, is set for a shock switch to Williams ahead of the 2017 season.? Custom Dennis Johnson Jersey .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. Custom John Havlicek Jersey . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. http://www.customcelticsjersey.com/ . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. Wholesale Custom Celtics Shirts . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Celtics Jerseys China . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. SYDNEY -- Andreas Mikkelsen held off Sebastien Ogier to win the Rally of Australia by 14.9 seconds on Sunday, giving Volkswagen a victory in its final race in the World Rally Championship.Norways Mikkelsen started the final day of the rally with a narrow two-second lead over his Volkswagen teammate, who was recently crowned the world drivers champion for the fourth straight year.Ogier closed the gap to just 0.3 seconds at the midpoint of the dusty Bucca stage, the second of five stages on the final day. But the Frenchman then spun his Volkswagon Rolo R near the finish and completed the stage 19.6 seconds slower than Mikkelsen, giving the Norwegian a commanding overall lead.Mikkelsen began the rally in third place in the drivers standings behind Ogier and Belgiums Thierry Neuville, hoping a win would lift him into second place and give Volkswagen its fourth consecutive one-two finish in its final championship. The company has said it will not compete in WRC again after this season.But Neuville, driving a Hyundai, finnished the race in third place, ensuring hed remain in second overall in the drivers standings.ddddddddddddThe plan was to try and win the power stage because I would like to try and beat Thierry for that second place, but Im still happy about this, Mikkelsen said. Its been such a perfect end to the season ... Its just sad to see this team and the car come to an end. I will miss them.Ogier and Mikkelsen now find themselves looking for new cars for next season, likely putting pressure on drivers on other teams.Mikkelsen dominated Volkswagons final rally, leading after all but one stage and overcoming a bizarre incident on the second day when his clutch and brake pedal became wedged together.The race was also delayed on the 21st stage for almost a half hour when Eric Camilli rolled his Ford onto its roof, causing a fire to break out in the car. He retired from the stage but appeared unhurt. ' ' '