Bottas Snubs One-Year Mercedes Deal for Stability

Bottas turns down a short stint with Mercedes, eyeing a more secure, multi-year agreement with another team.

Valtteri Bottas has categorically ruled out returning to Mercedes F1 for a season, seeking “security” with his next F1 team.

Bottas’s contract expires at the end of this year, and his next team has not yet been announced.

The winner of ten F1 Grand Prix, Bottas is a key player in the driver market, but he is primarily waiting for Carlos Sainz to make a decision.

Bottas is on the candidate list for Alpine and Williams next year, while his current team, Sauber, remains an option (Audi F1).

Sainz has been linked to these three teams, as well as Mercedes, and remains at the forefront of these teams’ choices.

Ultimately, Bottas’s future will be decided once Sainz makes his decision in the coming weeks or months.

Bottas’s former team, Mercedes F1, still does not know who will partner George Russell, as they wait to see what Max Verstappen decides.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, their young protege, remains the favorite, but there has been talk of the need for Mercedes to have a one-year interim option, a return of Bottas could have been a possibility.

However, Bottas has ultimately ruled out a return to Brackley as he prioritizes a multi-year F1 contract.

“Filling a seat for a year, I don’t think that’s what I want or need at the moment. For next year, I want something multi-year with a clear plan for the coming years and to work together during that time.”

“I think that’s what I need, a good challenge and a clear plan. If I only do one year, then you’re back to square one and looking at what comes next. I’m a good friend of Toto’s so, of course, we’ve talked about all this. And so, I have finally ruled out returning for a year.”

Bottas has spent the last three years with Sauber, leading them to their best result in the F1 constructors’ championship in a decade during his first season.

Since then, Sauber has lost ground in the development race and often struggles to score points.

Currently, Bottas is at the back of the driver’s championship, having failed to score a single point in 12 races.

Bottas wants to see something “settled quickly.”

“It would be nice to have security. But I’ve always known when I signed everything I wanted, that in three years, it would be the same thing again.”

“It’s quite exciting, ultimately, if there’s a change. I’m fine with the situation – it has been interesting – but I want to resolve the issue quickly. Then I’ll be happy.”

“I think I’m in a good position. And yes, some people in the paddock thankfully still know what I can do and what my strengths are to be part of a team. It’s not frustrating having to wait. It’s part of the sport, and it’s still July. I’ve been in a situation before where I had to wait until September or October. So I think I’m still in a decent situation.”

Bottas added that he hoped to know before the summer break.

“I think it’s possible. That’s the goal. I’ve set my priorities. I hope that puts me in a strong position.”