Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Valtteri Bottas is still awaiting a final decision from Sauber regarding his future with the team for 2025. The team is yet to choose who will pilot its remaining car next season alongside current Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, who signed for the team on a multi-year deal in April.
Much speculation has surrounded the final Sauber seat, with options of young drivers such as Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto being thrown about as potential contenders.
However, Bottas isn’t ruled out of consideration, and revealed in the build-up to the United States Grand Prix that he remains positive despite the situation being out of his control.
He said: “I know the terms that I'm up for, and just basically waiting for the green light. I feel and believe that I should be in that seat, I feel like I would be best for the interest of the team.”
Bottas has driven in Formula 1 since 2013, when he made his debut with Williams. He then made the move to Mercedes in 2017 following Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement at the end of the 2016 season and at the German squad he won 10 grands prix, driving alongside Lewis Hamilton, while also helping it to five constructors’ titles.
The Finn is a highly experienced driver at the top level, only behind Fernando Alonso, Hamilton and Sergio Perez for most starts on the current grid, and signing him alongside Hulkenberg for 2025 would provide the team with a stable line-up - granted, not the most groundbreaking pairing, but a relatively risk-free one.
Signing for Sauber, then running under the title sponsor name of Alfa Romeo in 2022, Bottas has experience both with the team and its current car. Alongside Hulkenberg, who has put in some stellar performances with Haas this season, the two would likely not butt heads too much.
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, battles with Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber F1 Team C44
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
At the moment, it has been difficult for Bottas to show his talent, as Sauber’s performances this year have been less than ideal, as the Swiss team currently sits 10th in the constructors’ and is yet to score a point in 2024.
“If you don't have the car, it's really difficult to show what you can do,” he said. “And also, for people making decisions in a big company, you know, they tend to look at the results.
“So, yeah, it's not, at the moment, easy to shine.”
However, Bottas has proven that with the right car underneath him, he can produce good results. The 10 race wins and 20 pole positions speak for themselves.
Bottas has had some standout moments in F1, especially during his time at Mercedes. A particular highlight is the 2019 Australian GP, where he beat then-team-mate Hamilton off the line and dominated the rest of the race, ending his year-long winless streak and dropping his iconic “to whom it may concern…” quote after crossing the line.
Or perhaps his maiden win at the 2017 Russian GP, where he swept into the lead from third on the opening lap and fended off the threat of Sebastian Vettel.
He also finished second in the drivers’ championship in both 2019 and 2020, beaten to the top spot by Hamilton.
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1, 1st position, lifts his trophy
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Bottas is a skilled driver, getting the most out of the car he has been provided with. He would be the safe choice for Sauber, one that would likely yield consistent results. A Hulkenberg-Bottas line-up would be a good way for the team to bridge the gap until the regulation changes in 2026, when the team will rebrand to Audi.
The 2026 makeover may pose a prime opportunity for the team to switch up its drivers. Hulkenberg will still be in the car, but a rookie could step into the seat alongside him to pioneer Audi’s debut year in Formula 1.
However, this comes with its own risks. Audi may not want to take a gamble on a rookie right out the gates, but it could prove more beneficial for Sauber if a young driver were to step into its car in 2025, have a season to familiarise themselves, prove they deserve the seat, and then continue into 2026 with the team.
Hulkenberg would be a great mentor for any young driver. The talent we have seen in Colapinto and Bortoleto is certainly encouraging, and Hulkenberg would be able to uphold a ‘team leader’ status while a rookie got up to speed beside him.
Colapinto jumped into the Williams car in Monza after Logan Sargeant was dropped from the line-up. While a relatively unexpected decision from James Vowles, Colapinto’s performances have proven it was a good one. In only four races, he has scored five points for the team, and has proven himself in on-track battles, including a gutsy lunge on team-mate Alex Albon at the race start in Singapore. He’s also well-liked and brings a huge Argentinian fan base with him.
Bortoleto has similarly shown great promise. He won the Formula 3 championship in 2023, and currently leads the Formula 2 championship with two race weekends remaining. A driver that wins F3 and F2 back-to-back is often very talented, with Oscar Piastri being the most recent F1 driver to achieve this.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Invicta Racing
Photo by: Shameem Fahath
Colapinto and Bortoleto are both deserving of full-time F1 drives, but whether that will come in 2025 is for Sauber to decide.
“In the end, it's going to come down to, yeah, experience versus youth,” said Bottas.
Given this, Bottas understands that there is a chance he won’t be on the grid come 2025.
“The situation I'm in now, with only one seat available, of course there is a risk. I love Formula 1, and I want to race in Formula 1.
“So naturally, it's a bit of an odd situation, but, you know, that's where we are. I've had lots of time to think about different things, but still, I'm always positive. I will stay positive.”
Sauber’s decision for who will fill the 2025 seat is still unknown. It comes down to whether it wants the security and maturity of an experienced, familiar driver such as Bottas, or a younger, promising talent to change up its team’s landscape.
As the 2025 line-up has so far proven, it is important to provide new drivers with the opportunity to prove themselves in F1.
But with his glorious mullet and dry sense of humour, if Bottas was to miss out on a seat for next season, he would be sorely missed.
Source: Autosport