Valtteri Bottas says he’s “assured” he’ll discover a seat for the 2025 Components 1 season, with a call anticipated within the coming weeks.
The 2025 driver market is now largely dictated by Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz, who has to decide between accepting a long-standing provide from Sauber, which is able to turn into Audi in 2026, or becoming a member of Williams as an alternative.
With Sainz probably the most high-profile free agent left to announce a deal, his stalling over a call additionally has an impression on a few of his colleagues, not within the least Sauber’s incumbent duo Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
It seems clear that neither driver is anticipating to remain at Sauber/Audi for 2025, though there stays an outdoor probability Bottas might keep if crew CEO Andreas Seidl would not land his important goal Sainz.
At Williams, Bottas is equally recognized to be a back-up choice to Sainz, who has been heavily courted by team principal James Vowles, whereas the Finn additionally has been in talks with Alpine and Haas.
However as time drags on and among the aforementioned groups are poised to drag the set off relatively than hold ready and lacking out on the very best choices altogether, Bottas equally realises he might want to act quickly to keep away from lacking the minimize.
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Group Kick Sauber
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“I feel I must make my alternative shortly,” Bottas acknowledged in Canada.
“Nothing has been signed but from my aspect, however I am nonetheless working with all of the choices and must make a transfer quickly.
“[Audi] is prepared to attend for a very long time. However I can not ceaselessly, so this crew is unquestionably nonetheless an choice however I do not assume I’ve the time to attend for too lengthy, in order that’s why I need to velocity issues up.”
Requested by Autosport if there was an opportunity he would find yourself on the sidelines, he replied: “I am assured I will get a seat, however clearly on this sport nothing is confirmed so it’s by no means 100% positive till you’re signed.
“However how I see the scenario in the intervening time I am not worrying. It needs to be an fascinating week or two forward for positive.”
Bottas says his string of late one-year contract renewals at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton has made it simpler for him to deal with the uncertainty.
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Group Kick Sauber C44
Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
“It is one thing you get used to,” he defined. “Clearly it is a far more comfy feeling if what is occurring, however on the identical time the component that there may very well be one thing new and thrilling on the best way, that is form of good.
“In case you take a look at my previous once I’ve been usually confirmed at sure groups, that is nonetheless very early when it comes to the season. So if you are able to do issues earlier than the August break that is already a very good factor.”
Zhou additionally believes he might nonetheless discover a place for subsequent 12 months, preventing for a similar spots at Haas and Alpine as his extra skilled team-mate.
“I feel all of the seats are nonetheless accessible,” he mentioned. “We’re in dialogue about my future, however nothing’s been confirmed.
“I really feel like there needs to be a spot for me sooner or later on this grid, however I simply do not know the place.
“I do not actually need to be a reserve and take a 12 months off in as a result of Components 1, while you take a 12 months off, it is tough to return again.”