Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is choosing to “stay in the background” and let Valtteri Bottas make his own decisions amid a potential switch to fellow Formula 1 team Alpine.
The Finn has spent this season back at the German marque as its third driver, having lost his seat with Sauber.
Bottas has made no secret that he is on the lookout for a full-time race drive for next year, and all the signs have been pointing towards a move to the nascent Cadillac team.
A social media post last month posted by Bottas involved a rehearsed chance ‘bumping into’ a Cadillac SUV, and proclaiming it a “nice seat” as he inspected the interior of it.
But a possible switch to the Enstone-based squad has logical connotations.
Alpine will be a Mercedes customer from 2026 , and Bottas’ experience may cure its second driver woes, with both Jack Doohan and now Franco Colapinto struggling.
The rumours sparked at Silverstone when Bottas, asked by Viaplay if he was having discussions with Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, said: “Yeah, you could say that.”
Bottas has spoken to Alpine ‘a few times’
Wolff went on further to confirm that not only had Bottas talked to Briatore, but he had on more than one occasion.
“A few times, actually,” the Austrian divulged.
“I saw him [Briatore] today and we talked about Valtteri. It seems that the interest in Valtteri is increasing even more.”
Wolff said that he would allow Bottas to go to Alpine should a proposal come in, not wishing to hold back a driver who obviously feels he still has a lot more to give.
“He deserves that seat,” he expressed. “If someone grabs him as a race driver, we’ll let him go. Of course, with a tear in the corner of our eye.
“Ultimately, I give him advice as a friend. Valtteri ultimately makes the choice with his management. I try to stay in the background.”
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