Valtteri Bottas has revealed he has a “clear priority” over the Formula 1 team he wishes to drive for next term as he hopes to have his future sorted in the “next weeks”.
Bottas’ existing deal with Sauber expires at the end of the season and he looks set to depart the Hinwil-based squad as Audi seeks out alternatives to lead its venture.
But having disclosed earlier this month that he had other options, Bottas was spotted walking into the Williams motorhome at Imola to chat with boss James Vowles.
That conversation has led to reports that Bottas is set to return to Williams, with Vowles admitting the Grove-based squad plans to release news in the coming weeks.
Asked whether he had an update amid the claim last week that he is “99 per cent” sure he won’t be leaving F1, the Finn denied that he has penned a contract for 2025.
“Unfortunately no news,” Bottas said in Monaco. “Nothing to really add from last weekend, honestly.”
He added: “I have not signed to anywhere at the moment.”
However, Bottas has retained his stance that he is all but certain to remain on the grid next season and he is optimistic that his prospects will soon become clear-cut.
Questioned on whether he was getting closer to being 100 per cent assured about his future, Bottas replied: “No, I said it’s only 100% when the pen hits the paper.
“So in this sport, that’s how it works. It’s never 100%, but yeah, I’ll still go for 99%.”
“I would like [it] to be sorted soon, which is kind of the same thing for the teams I guess, because things are really moving, so hopefully within the next weeks.”
Bottas divulged that he is in discussions with several teams up and down the pit lane, but the ex-Mercedes driver has confirmed that there is one name he’s favouring.
“I would say we’re not just talking to one team, let’s put it that way,” he proclaimed. “So there are other teams we’re talking to.
“But I have my clear priority for the future, which I’m not going to tell you. But yeah, I have one.”
Sauber has endured a challenging beginning to the campaign with zero points from the opening seven rounds, but Bottas has been pleased with his own performances.
“I’ve been like on my own performance. Yeah, I’ve been happy,” he assessed.
“As always, the results and performance is quite hidden when you’re towards the back end, unfortunately. And I haven’t been able to score at all. So that’s not great.
“But yeah, the people who know, if you look at the qualifying performances and if you look at the races, yeah, I think I’m performing well.
“That’s how I feel in the car. And especially in the qualifyings, I’ve been happy. But now we need a car that we can get into the points in the race. So that’s now the target.”
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