Valtteri Bottas denied that leaving Sauber, the future Audi, means the end of his career in Formula 1. The Finn stated that there are options in other teams for next season.
Bottas, who joined his current team when it was called Alfa Romeo in 2022, is in the final year of his contract with Sauber, which will become the official Audi team from 2026.
The Finnish driver expressed his desire to remain at the Hinwil-based team to lead Audi’s entry into F1 in 2026. However, Sauber announced the signing of Nico Hulkenberg on a long-term contract, while Carlos Sainz, who will leave Ferrari with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton next year, is seen as the main candidate for the other vacancy.
But although it appears that Bottas and his teammate Zhou Guanyu will not be retained by Sauber, the Finn is hoping to secure another seat to remain in F1.
Asked if not renewing with Sauber would end his time in F1, Bottas replied: “No. There are options. I have a feeling things will settle down soon.”
Bottas admitted it would be ideal to have his future sorted out as soon as possible, adding that ‘talks have already started and it should be an interesting few weeks ahead’.
Hulkenberg’s departure will leave a vacancy at Haas, but Ferrari prospect Oliver Bearman is believed to be the main candidate to take the German’s place. Bearman stood out when he replaced Sainz at Ferrari in the Saudi Arabian GP, debuting in F1 and surpassing Lewis Hamilton to finish in seventh place.
With the departure of Hulkenberg and Bearman being seen as the ideal replacement, even due to the influence of Ferrari, Haas should keep Kevin Magnussen in the team. With the exception of the 2021 season, Magnussen has been linked to the American team since 2017 and would ensure that experience is preserved alongside a rookie.
An alternative for Bottas could be a return to Williams, the team with which the Finn debuted in F1 in 2013 and achieved nine podiums.
Bottas’ departure to replace retired champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes in 2017 coincided with Williams’ drop in performance on the grid.
However, Williams achieved its best finish in the Constructors’ Championship under the leadership of former Mercedes strategy director James Vowles, reaching seventh place last year.
Vowles worked with Bottas while they were both at Mercedes until the Finn’s departure at the end of 2021. Williams may also be looking for a replacement for Logan Sargeant, who will most likely be released at the end of the current season, or even before that.
The American races in his home race in Miami next weekend under pressure to deliver results, after a difficult start to his second season in F1, which, like his first last year, has been marked by accidents and poor results.
But another name could hinder a Bottas return to Williams, as Liam Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo very well last year while the Australian recovered from a hand injury at the RB (then AlphaTauri) team, is also tipped for the Sergeant vacancy.
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