Nico Rosberg thinks former team Mercedes will consider a bid for Sebastian Vettel when his Ferrari contract expires at the end of the 2017 season.

After weeks of speculation following Rosberg's retirement, Mercedes signed Valtteri Bottas from Williams for the 2017 season. That places the former Williams driver alongside Lewis Hamilton, who is contracted until the end of 2018, with reports suggesting the Finnish driver is on a short-term deal ahead of what promises to be a fascinating driver market this season.

Vettel was linked to Mercedes during 2016 as Ferrari faltered through the year and Rosberg believes the four-time world champion would be a logical candidate for a drive for next season.

"Vettel's Ferrari contract ends this year, he'd be a sensible option for Mercedes and one that I'm sure they'll contemplate," Rosberg told La Repubblica.

Rosberg also reiterated his belief that Mercedes should have paired Fernando Alonso with Hamilton for 2017, a mouth-watering prospect which would have rekindled their partnership from McLaren in 2007.

"As a fan of Formula One you could not hope for anything better. Alonso against Hamilton, ten years later, it would be a great show. But Bottas makes more sense for Mercedes."