Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas.
Valtteri Bottas has revealed that he has no interest in signing a one-year contract to remain in F1 in 2025 amid links to Williams, Haas and Alpine.
Bottas is one of a number of drivers whose contract is set to expire at the end of the F1 2024 season, with the Finn facing an uncertain future following Sauber’s signing of Nico Hulkenberg for F1 2025.
Valtteri Bottas not interested in short-term contract for F1 2025
Bottas is expected to leave his current team at the end of the season, as the Swiss-based team is set to be rebranded as Audi when they enter F1 in 2026. Along with their interest in Carlos Sainz, the team is also interested in signing Bottas.
Bottas was spotted meeting James Vowles in the Williams motorhome during the recent Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with the 34-year-old telling media including PlanetF1.com at Imola of the importance to “check around what’s out there.”
If he moves to Williams, he will be reuniting with the team that gave him his F1 debut in 2013. Bottas achieved nine podium finishes while racing for the Grove-based outfit before he was signed by Mercedes as the replacement for Nico Rosberg, the reigning F1 2016 World Champion, for the 2017 season.
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The individual who has won the grand prix ten times has also been associated with Alpine and Haas, both of which may have two available seats for F1 2025.
As the silly season gains momentum, Bottas has conveyed his eagerness to contribute to a project with long-lasting goals, stating that he is not attracted to the idea of a temporary agreement.
In an interview with RacingNews365, he expressed, “Having a project with well-defined objectives for the upcoming years is something I strongly desire.”
“I have no interest in a short-term one-year contract solely for the sake of being involved in the sport. Instead, I aspire for a stable commitment that allows us to work towards shared objectives and ambitions.”
During a media interaction at the Miami Grand Prix last month, Bottas expressed his surprise at Sauber’s decision to sign Hulkenberg.
Bottas was surprised by the team’s decision to replace his race engineer, Alex Chan, with Steve Petrik, describing it as a sudden change that took place on a weekend when he made those comments.
Nevertheless, the ex-Mercedes driver has not completely dismissed the possibility of staying with Sauber/Audi after F1 2024.
He expressed, “In my opinion, all possibilities are still available. Currently, no doors have been shut.”
“While a few teams have finalized their driver lineups, the situation remains open for others. Audi has emphasized their deliberate approach, which compels me to explore alternative options.”
“We have knowledge of the situation, and our current actions are aligned with addressing it.”
“I desire to participate in negotiations, but without it causing any disruptions during my race weekend. It’s crucial to strike the perfect equilibrium.”
“Of course, I desire to be actively engaged since it directly concerns my future and the forthcoming years.”
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