Valtteri Bottas says he is considering all options available to him for 2025 if Sauber chooses not to renew his contract, including a return to Mercedes.
Sauber possesses the only unconfirmed seat on the grid for 2025, with their nine rival teams having already announced their drivers for next season.
Bottas and team mate Zhou Guanyu have both stated their desire to team chief operating officer Mattia Binotto to remain with the team in 2025 and race alongside incoming driver Nico Hulkenberg. However, Sauber – who will become Audi in 2026 – are reported to be considering their options, including drivers such as McLaren junior and Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, Bottas says he is eager to remain on the grid with Sauber next season but would be open to rejoining Mercedes – who he raced for between 2017 and 2021 – in a non-racing role if that does not happen.
“Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver,” Bottas said. “That’s what I want and that’s what we’re pushing for, with Mattia.
“But of course, as I don’t have anything signed – we’re in October – I’m going to look at all the alternatives, including going back to the Mercedes family, that’s for sure one option and I would consider it. There’s other options as well but my priority is to be a race driver in Formula 1.”
Bottas says he has reached an advanced stage in his negotiations with Sauber for a race contract for 2025 and it is now up to the team to decide if they want to stick with him.
“We are in almost daily touch with Mattia,” Bottas explained. “Sometimes about technical stuff, sometimes about the future.
“We’ve pretty well agreed everything in terms of the terms and stuff like that. Now it’s just that the ball is in their camp. So I’ll keep waiting and doing my job.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2024 United States Grand Prix
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…