Valtteri Bottas has now sent Alpine, Haas and Williams a clear message on what the Formula 1 teams must offer the Sauber star to agree a contract for the 2025 season.
The 34-year-old is facing an uncertain future in the pinnacle of motorsport beyond the close of 2024. Bottas is out of contract at Sauber after the current season. He has also now seen Audi sign Nico Hulkenberg to a three-year contract, which will see him join Sauber next year.
Sauber will become Audi’s factory entry in 2026 but the German automotive giant is already establishing its control. The imminent of arrival of Hulkenberg once the 36-year-old’s deal at Haas expires will also provide Audi with a vastly experienced driver who may replace Bottas.
Valtteri Bottas will not try to simply ‘hang on’ in F1 if he leaves Sauber
Audi and Sauber are still to decide if they will keep Bottas or Zhou Guanyu with the 24-year-old also out of contract in Hinwil. Bottas joined the Swiss squad in 2022 after five years with Mercedes. Sauber offered the Finn a three-year contract while they operated as Alfa Romeo.
But as he is now coming towards the end of his contract at Sauber, Bottas is ‘looking around’ at the possible vacancies elsewhere in F1. The 10-time Grand Prix winner knows it would be naïve if he did not explore any other options and risk being without a seat on the 2025 grid.
READ MORE: Every Formula 1 team’s confirmed driver line-ups for the 2025 season
Bottas stated, via quotes by Speedcafe: “When you’re in a situation that you are on the free market, you’re always looking around. So, for a while now it’s been different directions – not just one direction – because you can’t rely on something, only one, in this sport.”
Speedcafe notes that Alpine, Haas and Williams are likely the only teams Bottas could join to stay in F1. Mercedes are not currently considering offering the Finn a return to Brackley with the Silver Arrows still yet to replace Lewis Hamilton. But Bottas will not just accept any offer.
Bottas affirmed: “I wouldn’t get one year somewhere just to be in F1, just to hang on. I need a long-term project with clear goals and with respect for what I can do and deliver.
“That’s really the main thing. Obviously, the faster the car the better. But the main thing is to have that security for years ahead that we can work together for the goals that we set.”
Alpine, Haas and Williams are interested in signing Valtteri Bottas
Motorsport.com Italia journalist Roberto Chinchero reports that Bottas is likely an option for Haas. Chinchero doubts the American squad will retain Kevin Magnussen. But they will want an experienced pilot like Bottas or Esteban Ocon to partner Ferrari protégé, Oliver Bearman.
Haas already have one vacancy with Hulkenberg departing for Sauber in 2025 ahead of Audi taking over in 2026. But Haas might face a fight to offer Bottas his next seat on the grid. F1-Insider reports that Alpine are also considering the Finn in case Ocon or Pierre Gasly depart.
READ MORE: Every 2024 Formula 1 driver’s contract lengths and wages
Like Magnussen and Bottas are at Haas and Sauber, Ocon and Gasly are out of contract with Alpine at the end of 2024. Likewise, Logan Sargeant does not have a contract at Williams for 2025. Nate Saunders reports that Williams are likely to replace Sargeant with Bottas, as well.
Bottas started his Formula 1 career at Williams with his debut at the 2013 Australian GP. The Nastola native stayed in Grove until the end of 2016, as well, when Mercedes sought Bottas after Nico Rosberg retired. He entered 78 Grand Prix for Williams and got on nine podiums.
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