Valtteri Bottas has indicated that he would give up on pursuing a comeback to Formula 1 and “look elsewhere” should he miss out on securing a place on the 2025 grid.
Bottas has been resigned to a spell on the sidelines in 2025 amid Sauber’s decision to not retain his services and go with an all-new line-up as it prepares to transition into Audi.
The Hinwil-based squad communicating that rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will partner Nico Hulkenberg arrived in November when no other seat was available, leaving Bottas to reunite with Mercedes as a reserve driver.
But despite being overlooked to spearhead the Audi venture, Bottas has insisted that he harbours a desire to add to his current 246 F1 starts with a permanent seat in the sport.
The Finn revealed that he has held talks with Cadillac as the General Motors brand has an agreement in principle to enter F1 as the 11th team on the roster in 2026, coinciding with an extensive change to the regulations.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport Week, Bottas said that he wouldn’t return at all costs and would be holding out to embark upon a long-term project with an outfit that has the ambition to make tangible progress.
“Yeah, there needs to be a meaning,” Bottas stated regarding a possible comeback. “Like a random one-year deal somewhere at this stage of my career is not doing me much. There would need to be a clear plan. And if there wouldn’t be, let’s say for ‘26, then definitely I would need to look elsewhere. Or I can do still a good career [in another series].”
Bottas has admitted that, as it stands, he would accept the door is shut on his F1 endeavours in the circumstance where his absence stretches to longer than a season.
“Yeah, being away from the grid for more than a year, I think then it starts to hurt,” he said. “And it will be more and more difficult to come back if you’re away for more than a year. So yeah, for now that’s my thinking. But it could be different tomorrow.”
F1’s previous comeback stories
However, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg have proven exemptions to that statement in recent times as last term’s Haas line-up returned having spent two and three seasons on the sidelines respectively.
Hulkenberg, in particular, has starred since Haas handed him a reprieve in 2023, his exploits over the previous two campaigns earning him a multi-term deal with Audi.
“There are many examples that it [a return] can be done,” Bottas acknowledged. “This will be my 12th season in Formula 1. You just bring this routine and the feeling for the driving that you can come back.”
Bottas ‘proud’ of F1 career
But should the curtain have come down on his time in F1, Bottas would have bowed out with a record that many drivers would envy.
Bottas achieved 10 victories during his initial spell with Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, helping to extend the team’s unbeaten run in the Constructors’ Championship to an unprecedented eight consecutive titles.
Having also appeared on the podium 67 times (nine with Williams) to sit 10th on the all-time list, Bottas appreciates that he can be “proud” of what he’s accomplished.
“I think as a sportsperson you’re never satisfied,” he expressed. “But if I really honestly take a step back and look at my career so far, or if that’s it fully, I can be proud. I’ve always tried everything I could. I’ve been able to win Constructors’ titles five times, lots of wins, podiums and lots of great moments. So yeah, I can be proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Could Bottas head Stateside?
Outside F1, Bottas has voiced an interest in competing in IndyCar, America’s premier single-seater series which several erstwhile F1 drivers have migrated to in recent times.
Asked whether there had been approaches from teams in other categories, Bottas disclosed: “Yes, there has been contact, which is interesting. I think realistically next year [2025] for IndyCar comes a bit too soon, unfortunately. But it’s an option for the future, which I really would consider.”
Bottas, who has professed that the prestigious Indianapolis 500 remains on his “bucket list”, didn’t rule out sampling an IndyCar in 2025 should the chance arise.
Pressed on whether he would look to utilise the contact he’s had to get a taster with a view to a permanent switch, he responded: “Possibly, it depends on the details, where I’m going to be next year [2025] and what are the terms going to be. But if there’s an opportunity, it’s definitely one option.”
READ MORE – Exclusive: Valtteri Bottas reflects on ‘unlucky’ Sauber F1 exit
