Valtteri Bottas began the year with optimism about his F1 future. However, the 10-time race winner finds himself in an increasingly difficult position to continue in Formula 1. There are still a few seats left for 2025, but Valtteri Bottas is not seen as a front-runner to join any.
Bottas not a top priority for Sauber
The prevailing sentiment from Valtteri Bottas at the beginning of the season was one of confidence.
He consistently told the media that it was a matter of if – not when – he would sign a 2025 contract.
This was despite the fact that, even before the year began, Bottas was exploring alternatives to Sauber.
Bottas was compelled to explore alternatives because, despite spending several years at the Swiss outfit, he did not appear central to their project.
The 34-year-old knew going into this year that counting on Audi to offer him an F1 deal was risky.
After signing Nico Hulkenberg, the team now led by Mattia Binotto were quick to negotiate with other drivers.
These included Sainz and Ocon, who were higher on the team’s shortlist than the Finn.
Even with Sauber missing out on both these targets, there has been no rush at Hinwil to retain Bottas.
Contract negotiations will be difficult
With Audi recently appointing Mattia Binotto to the squad, there is a change of direction in the team.
Although the previous management at Sauber was not especially eager to extend Bottas’ contract, there is no guarantee the former Ferrari team principal will either.
Aware of this uncertainty, Valtteri Bottas outlines the challenges he expects in negotiations:
“It is going to reset a bit the talks,” the 34-year-old said regarding Binotto’s arrival.
“Because we have previously been in communication with Andreas [Seidl] and Oliver [Hoffmann], and now it’s Mattia [Binotto].
“For sure, that will change some things. So we need to speak.
“It’s a bit of a complicated situation, but let’s see.”
Bortoleto on the Audi shortlist?
Roughly twelve months ago, reports first emerged that Sauber were uncertain about their driver line-up.
At the time, it was Zhou Guanyu’s future that was uncertain.
Felipe Drugovich was named as an option for the Swiss team before Zhou’s deal was extended.
Although a Drugovich deal never materialised, these talks demonstrated the uncertainty surrounding Sauber’s driver combination.
Looking ahead to next year, there is no clear favourite to partner Nico Hulkenberg at the team.
However, Gabriel Bortoleto has recently emerged as a contender to join the Swiss-based operation.
The McLaren junior is performing at an exceptional level in Formula 2, even if the majority of attention in the series is currently on Kimi Antonelli.
Bortoleto can be credited with a hugely impressive rookie campaign.
Should he retain second place in the standings, Bortoleto will become the first rookie to finish in the top two in the F2 Championship since Oscar Piastri.
The future is uncertain for Bottas
Of course, no conclusions can be reached at this stage.
Valtteri Bottas is still a very experienced driver and handily outperforming his teammate in 2024.
Partnering Hulkenberg with another established name could provide Audi with a very strong combination.
Then again, with Hulkenberg providing such a dependable benchmark, there is room for Sauber to take a risk on a youngster.
With the previous favourites to join Sauber no longer in the running, there is all to play for.
Unfortunately for Bottas, this type of uncertainty is what he likely wanted to avoid at the beginning of 2024.
