Bottas still hoping to keep his place at Audi

The future of Valtteri Bottas in Formula 1 remains uncertain as the 2025 season approaches. While several teams have already confirmed their drivers for the next season, others like Racing Bulls, Alpine, Mercedes, and Sauber remain undecided. With the arrival of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley at Sauber, the situation could change, especially for Bottas, who finds himself in a delicate position.

A missed return to the roots

A few weeks ago, Bottas seemed close to rejoining Williams, a team he has already raced for during four seasons. His presence in the British team’s motorhome suggested that he could secure a seat there. But a twist of fate hit the paddock as Williams finally announced the signing of Carlos Sainz for a multi-year contract, thus closing the door to Bottas. This turn of events forced the Finn to reconsider his options and consider staying with Sauber, the team he currently drives for.

The arrival of Mattia Binotto at Audi, the future owner of Sauber, as technical director and operations director, has questioned the discussions between Bottas and the team. The Finn acknowledged that negotiations had been restarted due to this change in leadership, but he sees it as an opportunity to keep his seat for 2025.

« This will restart the discussions a bit… It’s kind of a reset again », he said, emphasizing that Binotto’s arrival could influence the choice of drivers for next season. Bottas hopes that Sauber, as part of its future project with Audi, will opt for a duo of experienced drivers, after already hiring Nico Hülkenberg for 2024. This choice could favor his retention in the team, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Sauber’s future performances.

However, Bottas must face strong competition for the second seat at Sauber. Young Gabriel Bortoleto, currently second in the Formula 2 championship after winning the Formula 3 title the previous year, is particularly coveted by Audi. The German manufacturer must make a strategic choice: bet on Bottas’ experience, who already has ten Grand Prix victories to his name, or gamble on Bortoleto’s youth and potential to build the team’s future.

Bottas is well aware of the numerous upheavals within the Sauber team. He pointed out that the structure has experienced three changes in leadership in three years, but remains optimistic about the impact of these transitions. According to him, the team is used to this kind of situation and should not be too affected by it.

« It is no secret that when there is a new leadership, it will always take some time… Once again, this is the third time in three years, within a span of three years, that we have a change at the helm, so it is not a new situation, and the team should not be too affected at this stage.

Bottas’s future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, with negotiations ongoing and fierce competition for the few remaining seats. If the Finn hopes to take advantage of the changes within Sauber to secure his place in 2025, he will have to convince the team management that he is the best choice to lead the Audi project in Formula 1, facing young talents ready to take over. Sauber’s decision in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Bottas will be on the starting grid in 2025 or if a new chapter in his career will open elsewhere, as he is also in talks with some Indycar teams.