Finnish Formula 1 ace Valtteri Bottas has intimated his wish to remain a part of Sauber when it becomes Audi’s works team from the 2026 season. The iconic German vehicle manufacturer has inked a deal that will see them supply Sauber’s power unit via their Neuburg base in Germany and race under the Audi banner from 2026.
Sauber and Bottas are unlikely to trouble the podium in 2024
Sauber have been well off the pace in recent F1 seasons. The team is considered one of the rank outsiders in Paddy Power’s F1 Constructors’ Championship winner betting market for 2024, priced at 275/1 alongside the likes of Williams, Alpha Tauri and Haas. This may not deter those who like betting on sports and prefer to take shots at much longer odds before the season begins, but it does demonstrate that F1 is a largely uncompetitive sport right now. Sauber is a case in point, with just 27 podium finishes in 465 races. All of which suggests they’re unlikely to be talked up in the latest sports betting tips previewing the F1 2024 season.The former Mercedes number two switched to Sauber in 2022 and his current contract with the team is due to expire at the end of the 2024 campaign. Bottas recently insisted he was “hungry” to fight for podium race finishes and felt the Audi partnership could prove the “next opportunity” to do so.
Bottas believes Sauber and Audi are due to make decisions on the coming years “early” in 2024, with the flying Finn hoping to have his future settled in Q1 2024. Bottas believes if he gets another deal for 2025, it’s almost certain that he’ll be in serious consideration for Audi in 2026. In the meantime, Sauber are going to be locking horns with Williams, Alpha Tauri, and co. to avoid the F1 2024 wooden spoon.
Away from the racetrack, the 34-year-old has recently unveiled his own coffee roaster, as well as a gin brand, as he begins to plan for life without F1. Last year, Bottas celebrated a decade at the pinnacle of motorsport, and he still has no plans to retire despite having a much weaker car than the one he drove at Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s number two.
Possible alternatives for Bottas if Sauber and Audi fail to agree terms on a new deal
View: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ukBJafmLOqI?si=juV8yG0AskySQcW7
In fact, Bottas admitted in the same interview that if talks were to break down over a new deal with Sauber and Audi, he would be open to negotiating with other teams to stick around in F1 for as long as possible. However, staying at Hinwil for Audi’s full takeover remained his “number one preference”.
It could be a lucrative time for Bottas if Sauber and Audi can’t come to an agreement with the Finn. As of September, as many as 14 driver seats remained up for grabs in the 2025 F1 campaign, with just six drivers having long-term contracts with their respective teams.
Bottas could therefore come into consideration at somewhere like Aston Martin, who will be looking for someone to either replace Fernando Alonso or compete for the number-one drive alongside Lance Stroll, who remains on a rolling contract. Alpine may also consider Bottas as a credible option as a number-one driver, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly both out of contract at the end of the upcoming season.
