Binotto Brings 'Transparency' to F1 Bottas Approves

Bottas Cheers ‘Reset’ in Talks; Stake F1 Sees Change

22/08/2024

Bottas welcomes fresh discussions with Stake F1, marking a new era of transparency under Binotto.

Valtteri Bottas is aware that Stake F1, set to become Audi in 2026, is currently his best option for that year, especially since Carlos Sainz has signed with Williams and Alpine appears to be leaning towards Jack Doohan. However, initiating dialogue with Mattia Binotto, the newly appointed head of the Swiss team, was the Finnish driver’s first step.

“Clearly, Mattia has just started,” Bottas stated. “As I mentioned in Spa, the arrival of a new point of communication has changed things. We had a brief discussion post-Spa, and have continued our conversations this week.”

“That’s where we stand at the moment. He knows me a bit, and now we are getting to know each other better. We were competitors when I was with Mercedes and he was with Ferrari. But it seems there is mutual respect, which is a good starting point for discussions.”

Bottas praises Binotto’s candour and the sense of a fresh start, both for the team and in his negotiations: “Over the past six months, I felt like I wasn’t the top priority.”

“It’s evident that there was a signing before me and that the team and its management explored all possible options, sometimes with scant communication. But now, things are somewhat different. As I said, there’s been a reset.”

“There’s now a clear structure at the top about who does what. I think that’s a good thing for the future. Mattia comes from a team that has enjoyed considerable success. He knows what a good team needs. So, I think it’s a good thing for the future of this team.”

Bottas revealed that Binotto has guided him on the future of the team: “I’m learning more about the Audi project, its investments, and its achievements in recent years. Over the last two weeks, I’ve gained further insights. This definitely makes me more confident that this project will succeed sooner or later.”

Bottas is confident that stepping away from the Sainz track might boost his chances: “Certainly, it means one less driver in the mix, so yes, I believe there are now probably greater opportunities.”

“Ultimately, the decision is theirs to make. But they are undoubtedly assessing all options, as they should. However, I imagine I should be in a strong position. But clearly, it depends on Mattia and Audi.”

Asked about an ideal timeline to confirm his future, Bottas would prefer a swift resolution: “It’s already August, nearly September. So, the sooner, the better for everyone. I think there is consensus on this point. That’s just how things sometimes unfold.”

Binotto Brings 'Transparency' to F1 Bottas Approves

Binotto Brings ‘Transparency’ to F1, Bottas Approves Binotto Brings ‘Transparency’ to F1, Bottas Approves

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Chinese GP
21 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025
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21 MAR 03:30 - 04:30
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21 MAR 07:30 - 08:14
Sprint Race
22 MAR 03:00 - 04:00
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22 MAR 07:00 - 08:00
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2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Race Results

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
57
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
+0.895s
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
+8.481s
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
+12.773s
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
+15.135s
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
+17.413s
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
+18.423s
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
+19.826s
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
+20.448s
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
+22.473s
Pierre Gasly
11
PIERRE
GASLY
+26.502s
Yuki Tsunoda
12
YUKI
TSUNODA
+29.884s
Esteban Ocon
13
ESTEBAN
OCON
+33.161s
Oliver Bearman
14
OLIVER
BEARMAN
+40.351s
Liam Lawson
15
LIAM
LAWSON
47 DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto
16
GABRIEL
BORTOLETO
47 DNF
Fernando Alonso
17
FERNANDO
ALONSO
34 DNF
Carlos Sainz
18
CARLOS
SAINZ
0 DNF
Jack Doohan
19
JACK
DOOHAN
0 DNF
Isack Hadjar
20
ISACK
HADJAR
0 DNF
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race
Date
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Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japanese Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Sakhir desert
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
United States Flag
United States
Miami
04 May

2025 FORMULA 1 DRIVERS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
25 Points
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
18
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
15
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
12
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
10
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
8
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
6
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
4
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
2
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
1

2025 FORMULA 1 CONSTRUCTORS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1
McLaren
27
2
Mercedes
25
3
Red Bull
18
4
Williams
12
5
Aston Martin
8
6
Sauber
6
7
Ferrari
5
8
Alpine F1
0
9
Haas F1
0
10
Racing Bulls
0
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