The ex-Mercedes driver moved to Sauber for 2022 with a firm two-year contract until the team activated a clause to retain the Finn alongside stablemate Zhou Guanyu for this term.
Bottas has said that any subsequent renewal with Sauber will be indicative of him having secured an Audi seat, as the manufacturer completes a 100% buyout of the Swiss squad.
While there has been speculation that Sauber was lukewarm over retaining Bottas for 2024, he says tentative talks with Audi for its 2026 arrival are coming together.
“[I’m] slowly, slowly getting the ball rolling. But nothing fundamental yet," he said.
“I think we need a few more [races this season] under our belt, and hopefully with a good few results, the ball will roll a bit more, but not much yet.”
Amid Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 switch to Ferrari and the uncertainty surrounding Max Verstappen’s future given the turmoil at the top of Red Bull, Bottas concedes there is a “danger” he could be outmanoeuvred in the driver market to end up without a seat.
“That's why you need to try and be one step ahead,” he continued. “That's what my management is working on in the background.
“I focus on the driving, and I've got people in the background, trying to read the market and work on different options if that will be needed.”
Source: Autosport