Bottas settles terms with Sauber, pending final sign-off.
Valtteri Bottas has disclosed that he has accepted the terms of a contract to remain with the Sauber team for the 2025 F1 season, with the former Mercedes driver “now awaiting the green light” to see if he will be the chosen pilot.
Audi, set to take over the existing Sauber team for the 2025 F1 season, remains the only non-Red Bull team yet to finalize its driver lineup for next year.
The Switzerland-based team announced Nico Hulkenberg in April, the German becoming the first signing of the Audi F1 project with a multi-year contract.
However, Audi F1 has been forced to explore alternative options for 2025 after missing out on Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon, who have chosen to join Williams and Haas F1, respectively.
Bottas was believed to be on the verge of sealing a new deal with the team for the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, numerous rumours over the past few weeks have indicated that negotiations with Audi F1 have stalled, with former Haas driver Mick Schumacher re-entering the frame as a potential teammate for Hulkenberg.
Franco Colapinto, the Williams junior driver, and Gabriel Bortoleto, a McLaren junior, have also been considered.
When asked in Austin why he was still waiting for a new contract, Bottas responded: “Good question.”
“I think I mentioned before Austin that I hoped it would be settled by now, but I’m still waiting on the final decisions and I think it’s more up to Mattia Binotto to answer that question than me. For now, I understand there’s nothing more I can do; it’s out of my hands.”
“So, of course, I’m trying to do my best this weekend and hope that will improve things, but that’s where we stand.”
Has he agreed on a contract at least?
“Yes, that’s correct. We have been in touch weekly and I am aware of the conditions under which the contract will be offered to me. I am ready to sign. I am just waiting for the green light.”
When asked if his salary could be a barrier to finalizing the deal with Audi F1, Bottas replied, “It shouldn’t be. I believe the terms we are discussing are appropriate, and I understand that Audi should have the budget—at least that’s the word! So I don’t foresee that as a problem.”
Bottas warned that he might have to set “a deadline” for a decision from Audi F1: “the near future,” acknowledging that he may need to explore other opportunities.
“A month ago, it was as soon as possible, but there’s still nothing. Of course, from my side, there will also be a deadline, because even looking outside Formula 1—or at other roles within Formula 1—it’s nearly Christmas, and when Christmas comes, there’s not much availability anywhere.”
“So, I hope it will be soon. I am optimistic. I’ve always been, but until it’s on paper, you can’t be too confident.”
“But honestly, I remain positive. It’s just unfortunate that there’s a bit of a wait, but there’s not much I can do.”
“The situation I find myself in now, with only one seat available, obviously, there’s a risk I might not be on the F1 grid in 2025.”
“I love Formula 1 and I want to race in Formula 1, so it’s naturally a bit of an odd situation, but that’s where we are.”
“I have a lot of time to think about different things, but I remain positive—or stay positive—because I truly feel and believe I should be in that seat.”
“I feel that I am the driver capable of competing at the highest level in the best interest of the team, which is why I remain positive. As I’ve mentioned, there’s not much more I can do now, apart from performing on the track.”
Finally, some developments in Austin
While it remains uncertain if he will be with the team in 2025, Bottas still has six races left this season. And at last, there are developments on his Stake F1.
“It was initially planned for Mexico, but we now have a complete kit for my car. This is crucial because we are really struggling in terms of performance, and I hope this will give us a boost.”
“The team needs to try and resolve as many issues as possible before 2025, and it’s good to have some visibly different things on the car. I’m looking forward to testing it on the track tomorrow.”
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Contract Agreed: Bottas Waits for Sauber’s Green Light Contract Agreed: Bottas Waits for Sauber’s Green Light. f1 2024 Contract Agreed: Bottas Waits for Sauber’s Green Light
