Bottas on Uncertain F1 Future: “It’s Becoming Nerve-Racking”
Valtteri Bottas, one of the most experienced and successful drivers in Formula 1, is going through a period of great uncertainty in his career. As the 2024 season progresses, Bottas still does not have a clear answer on where he will be racing in 2025, which is becoming increasingly nerve-racking for the Finn.
Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Bottas admitted that his current situation is stressful. He is waiting for a crucial decision from Carlos Sainz, which could directly influence his options for the next season. “Maybe waiting for Carlos, but maybe not,” Bottas said. “At some point, I don’t think everyone will wait for him. But I’m still waiting for something.”
Bottas, who has already won ten Grands Prix in his career, is considered a strong candidate for a seat at Williams, but he could also stay with Sauber, which will become the Audi team in 2026, or transfer to Alpine. However, the lack of concrete decisions so far is starting to weigh on him. “If things drag on until the August break or after, it can start to become quite nerve-racking,” he said.
The current season has been particularly difficult for Bottas and Sauber. The Swiss team has failed to score a single point in the first 12 races of the championship. Despite this, Bottas remains open to the idea of continuing with the team, especially since they have introduced several updates to his car for the Hungarian weekend. “I want to be in a place where I have respect, where everyone knows what I can achieve and bring to the team,” Bottas emphasized.
Besides Sauber, which has already secured Nico Hulkenberg for the future, several other teams have shown interest in Bottas. Audi, which will take over Sauber in 2026, has Sainz as a priority, but other drivers are also being considered. “I think that option is still there. It’s part of the business, for sure,” Bottas said about the possibility of staying with Sauber.
The current F1 landscape is uncertain for many drivers, with several teams yet to finalize their line-ups for the coming years. For Bottas, the prolonged wait for a clear decision is becoming increasingly hard to bear. He had hoped everything would be resolved before the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, but now it seems the uncertainty will continue for some time.
As the summer break approaches, the pressure to get answers increases. Bottas, known for his consistency and skills, hopes his situation will be resolved soon, so he can fully focus on the track and show his full potential in the remaining races of the season.
Amid this uncertainty, one thing is clear: Valtteri Bottas remains one of the most respected and talented drivers in Formula 1, and any team that secures his services for 2025 will be making an excellent acquisition.
