Valtteri Bottas turns down a move to Red Bull: “They don’t really like me”
In search of a seat for next season, Valtteri Bottas has ruled out Red Bull. The Austrian team is looking for a second driver capable of getting closer to Max Verstappen.
The Sauber driver, Valtteri Bottas could not have a Formula 1 seat for 2025, but he is not counting on Sergio Perez’s difficulties to get an unexpected opportunity at Red Bull.
With a deficit of 53 points against McLaren, with two Grand Prixs left in the 2024 season, Sergio Perez’s underperformance will probably cost Red Bull the constructor’s title. The Mexican has only scored 49 points in the last 16 races, compared to a total of 267 for Max Verstappen.
The future of Perez will be decided at the end of the season by Red Bull shareholders, who will evaluate the available options. However, Red Bull affiliated drivers, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, have not yet demonstrated convincing performances. While the team’s interest in Franco Colapinto has cooled off after three major accidents for the Argentine, in the last two Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas sidelined
On his side, Valtteri Bottas seems destined to remain on the sidelines after Sauber signed Nico Hülkenberg and F2 leader Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025. Despite being considered a reliable driver and having clearly outperformed his teammate Zhou Guanyu this season, the Finn does not expect to be retained by Red Bull.
« I think there are people at Red Bull who don’t really appreciate me, so that’s a reason [not to expect an opportunity there], “said Bottas. « So, I don’t know. I don’t think it’s an option, but it’s my feeling.
The pilot, winner of 10 Grand Prix, raced for Mercedes during the intense 2021 season, marked by the title fight against Red Bull. It was his last of five seasons with the team, during which he contributed to winning the constructors’ title each year. Now, the Finn seems ready to return to Mercedes, this time as a reserve driver.
“We have been discussing for a while,” he said, after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, referring to his conversations with Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again tomorrow or Monday.”
« Of course, I want to consider all the options, but there are many positive things about it. Returning to the Mercedes family is a great team, a great brand. It can open up many opportunities for the future. So it is a very solid option for me, and I am really grateful that they are willing to take me on in this role.
At 35 years old, Valtteri Bottas is not ready to end his racing career yet. If he had to sit on the sidelines next year, he would consider new opportunities in 2026.
Interrogated about a possible interest in the Cadillac project, recently provisionally approved by F1, Valtteri Bottas succinctly replied: “Yes, it’s possible.”
