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Stake F1 driver Valtteri Bottas has suggested that his F1 career might be over if he can’t sign a deal with Stake/Audi for 2025 but has confirmed he “will be racing something” in the future.
End of the road for Bottas?
Bottas joined the F1 grid in 2013, racing for Williams before moving to Mercedes to partner seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
However, in 2021, after finishing 161.5 points behind Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship, the Finn was dropped. Team Principal Toto Wolff decided to put his faith in George Russell for the following season.
There are only seats left at three teams, two of which are RB and Red Bull, who already have three drivers in contention. The only seat left would be the Stake/Audi drive, where he would partner Nico Hulkenberg.
The 10-time race winner brings experience, but with a German veteran on the team, the Swiss-based team could opt for a rookie.
The former Alfa Romeo driver claimed he has the “experience” and that’s “what the team needs”.
As reported by RacingNews365, Bottas said:
“Options are limited for me, but that is how it is.
“So of course it has crossed my mind, and I have had to think: ‘what if I am not in Formula 1 next year’, but it is still too early to think about that.Â?
“I will be racing something, that is what I have done all my life, so for sure, I won’t stay on the beach.
“In theory, I should be in a good situation, I have the experience and I think that is what the team needs.Â?
“In that sense, I’m in a good position, but then it is up to the boss and the board of Audi for the future.”
Bottas admits positive talks with Audi
It was announced in March that Audi would take over Sauber in 2026, with the team dropping its Alfa Romeo branding and switching to Stake F1 for the period between the German manufacturer joining.
The arrival of Audi has also seen the return of Mattia Binotto asÂ?Sauber Motorsports Chief Technical and Chief Operating Officer, following his departure as Ferrari team principal at the end of 2022.
The 20-time pole sitter explained how discussions regarding a new contract have been heading in a “positive way.”
“We started the discussions with good respect and in a positive way,“ Bottas added.
“I think he really understands what he can get out of me for the team, and if I can get involved in a project for the year ahead which is interesting, a car manufacturer, then I am interested as well.Â?
“So I think there is interest both ways, and we’ve made some progress, but I don’t want to give away anything more than that.“
Featured image: Photo by Peter Fox – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images