Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas is in a precarious position with his current contract set to expire at the end of the year.
The experienced Finn is exploring every option as it looks less and less likely that Audi will retain his services as they take over the Sauber program in 2026.
Valtteri Bottas spoke to RacingNews365 and was asked about the future of Formula 1.
The current ruleset has been dominated by Red Bull but it looks like Ferrari and McLaren have finally found a way to match the Austrian outfit.
Every team will go back to the drawing board next year to prepare for the changes coming in 2026 which could change the hierarchy on the grid once again.
Valtteri Bottas has now shared that he’s heard the new engines required for 2026 still need a lot of work.
Considering some aspects of the new rules aren’t yet known, teams have an awful lot of work ahead of them to make sure they’re competitive in 18 months.
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Valtteri Bottas shares what he’s heard about F1’s new engines in 2026
Last Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix highlighted a lot of the issues with the current F1 cars, although these problems are very much exaggerated on the streets of Monte Carlo.
There were only a handful of overtakes – one of which was pulled off by Bottas – and for the first time in F1 history, the top ten on the grid all finished in the same positions.
That wasn’t all down to the cars, with the rules allowing teams to change their tyres under a red flag and eliminating any tactical battle that was going to happen during the pit stops.
However, Formula 1 cars have been getting bigger for years and the narrow streets of Monaco simply don’t allow for competitive racing.
Even at Imola, aside from the one DRS zone down the main straight, cars were barely able to pass, making racing quite predictable.
Formula 1 needs to address these issues, however, Bottas has heard that there are still some issues with the engines that will be used in 2026.
Considering how many unknown factors there are going into the new ruleset, the teams with the best power units are likely to have an immediate advantage.
That’s one of the reasons Alex Albon has stayed at Williams and why he could be joined by Carlos Sainz.
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Valtteri Bottas shares his thoughts on F1’s 2026 rule changes
Asked about the upcoming ruleset, Bottas said: “From what I have seen so far, I think they have chosen the right direction.
“The cars will be a bit narrower, which I think is a good plan.
“I also hope the weight will be less because that would make some difference. And about the engines, I haven’t tested anything in the simulator yet, but I’ve heard the stories that they still need a lot of work.
“Apparently they still have too many hiccups on the straights, but that will be fixed.”
Bottas still needs to decide where he’ll be driving next season, let alone in 2026.
Alpine has emerged as a potential destination for Bottas if and when he leaves Sauber at the end of the year.
Williams team principal James Vowles has spoken to Bottas on multiple occasions this year.
Bottas has also sent Haas a message about his potential contract demands for 2025 and beyond.
The post ‘Apparently’: Valtteri Bottas admits he’s heard ‘stories’ of 2026 rule change that still needs ‘a lot of work’ appeared first on F1 Oversteer.