Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas is aiming to accelerate talks to secure his Formula 1 future as he admitted he must make “a move soon” to ensure his place come 2025.
Bottas’ current deal with Sauber will expire at the end of the 2024 season and the Hinwil-based team looks set to gear up towards Audi’s arrival with a revised line-up.
The Finn, who is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid and is a proven race-winner, is known to have been holding conversations with Williams over a return.
Bottas has admitted he will have to decide soon with Sergio Perez’s Red Bull renewal set to trigger more moves when asked how he will secure a seat for next season.
“I think I need to do my choice quickly,” he told F1. “Nothing has been confirmed or signed yet from my side, so no really big news since last week.
Still working with all the options that there are, and need to make a move soon. That’s basically where I’m at.”
“It’s nothing strange. It’s not my first time, and it’s just the way it is.
Obviously, if you know, like Lewis [Hamilton], that you’re leaving already to another team, of course things aren’t the same as if you’re going to stay there. That’s how it is.”
Encountering an uncertain period is nothing new to Bottas, though, as he was placed on single-term deals throughout his time at Mercedes between 2017 and 2021.
But having expressed last month that he was “99 per cent” certain he will retain his place on the grid next term, Bottas remains optimistic that he will get a contract.
“I’m confident I’m going to get a seat, but obviously in this sport nothing is confirmed, so it’s never 100% sure until you’re signed,” he explained.
“But at least how I see the situation at the moment, I’m not worrying. But yeah, it should be an interesting week or two ahead for sure.”
“[Uncertainty] It’s something you get used to. Obviously, it’s a way more comfortable feeling if you know what is happening.
“But at the same time it’s kind of exciting, a certain element of unknowns. There could be something new and exciting on the way, that’s kind of nice.
“I don’t see it as an issue. I think it’s nice that there’s flexibility and differences on that.
“Some teams are willing to wait until the last minute, but then that also provides a risk of having fewer options.”
The ex-Mercedes driver also revealed he hadn’t been told much about Sauber’s 2025 car, but said that “‘normal” as he is not confirmed with the team for next season.
Bottas also expressed discomfort about not being a leading option for his current team, despite accepting that there is a mass overhaul preparing for Audi’s arrival.
“I feel like at the moment they want quite a lot of change in the team,” he acknowledged. “Probably the same thing with the driver line-up.
“That’s how I read the situation. But they are willing to wait for a long time. But I can’t forever, so this team is definitely still an option.”
“But I don’t think I have the time to wait for too long, so that’s why I want to speed things up.
“Of course, I was personally, and what I’ve been communicating within the last 12 months or so, I was always going to be part of the project. But things have been a bit more quiet lately.”
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