Valtteri Bottas' Bold Priority for 2025 Unveiled: Which Team Will He Choose?
As the 2025 Formula 1 season looms on the horizon, all eyes are on Valtteri Bottas and his impending decision on where he'll race next. The Finnish driver, currently with Sauber, has made it clear that he has a 'priority' regarding his future team. Bottas' current contract with Sauber—a team set for a revamp under the Audi banner—expires at the end of the season. Speculations have been rampant since Bottas was seen entering the Williams motorhome at the Imola Grand Prix, sparking rumors of a potential return to the squad where his F1 journey began.
Despite the speculation, Bottas has firmly stated that he hasn't signed any contract for 2025 yet. 'Unfortunately no news,' Bottas remarked while in Monaco. He emphasized that while no documents have been signed, he's nearly certain about staying in F1. '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%,' Bottas elaborated.
The former Mercedes ace is engaged in talks up and down the pit lane, discussing opportunities with multiple teams. However, Bottas hinted that there's one team he is particularly keen on. 'I have my clear priority for the future, which I’m not going to tell you. But yeah, I have one,' he cryptically revealed.
Sauber, Bottas' current team, has had a dismal season with zero points from the first seven rounds. Despite this, Bottas remains confident in his own performances, especially in qualifying sessions. 'I’ve been happy with my own performance,' he said, reflecting on his efforts behind the wheel. 'The results and performance are 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.'
Bottas' emphasis on his qualifying performances indicates he feels he's still in top form and deserving of a competitive seat. '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.'
The revelation that Williams could be a likely destination has set the F1 world abuzz. Williams, a team with a storied history but recent struggles, could benefit immensely from Bottas' experience and tenacity. With new leadership under James Vowles, Williams appears to be in the midst of a strategic overhaul, and bringing Bottas back into the fold could be a masterstroke.
Time is of the essence for both Bottas and the teams negotiating for his talents. '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 candidly stated. As the negotiations continue behind the scenes, one thing is for certain: Bottas holds a crucial card in the game of F1 musical chairs, and his decision will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the 2025 grid.
Stay tuned, as the world of Formula 1 eagerly awaits the definitive announcement regarding Valtteri Bottas' future. Will he return to his roots at Williams, or will a different team capture his signature? The next few weeks promise to be riveting.