Valtteri Bottas would not go to Mercedes for a year as a stopgap for Max Verstappen or Kimi Andrea Antonelli: The Finn wants stability for years
Although Valtteri Bottas continues to maintain a friendly relationship with motorsport boss Toto Wolff, the Finn cannot imagine returning to Mercedes if he is again only fobbed off with a one-year contract
Bottas had such contracts as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate at the Silver Arrows for five years before he had to make way for George Russell in 2022, who had recommended himself for the works cockpit after three years at Williams.
Bottas, on the other hand, switched to Alfa Romeo, where he was given a contract for several years. However, the 34-year-old is due to leave the team, which has since been renamed Sauber, in 2025. The future Audi team has already signed a new driver, Nico Hülkenberg, and it is no longer a secret that they are courting Carlos Sainz.
Bottas, on the other hand, has been given opportunities with other small teams such as Williams or Haas. What he can rule out, however, would be a move to Mercedes: “I don’t think filling a seat for just one year is what I want or need at the moment,” he told Mirror Sports.
In any case, a move to Mercedes would not be very likely. Opportunities would only arise if Max Verstappen, who Toto Wolff is keen on, does not come, Carlos Sainz no longer wants to speculate on the Mercedes cockpit and if Andrea Kimi Antonelli is given another year to develop.
Then you would need a transitional driver for a year, and Bottas no longer wants to be one.
“For next year, I want a multi-year contract with a clear plan for the coming years and to work together during this time,” he clarifies. “I need a good challenge and a clear plan.”
“If I only do one year, then I’ll be back to square one and will have to see what happens next,” says Bottas. And that could be difficult because most teams have already signed contracts for 2025 and 2026 because they want stability during the transition to the new regulations.
He would also like to have security after years of not having it at Mercedes. Alfa Romeo/Sauber then gave him this, even though he is now facing another expiring contract.
“I always knew when I signed that it would be the same in three years’ time,” he says. “In a way, it’s also exciting at the end when there’s a change. I can live with the situation, but I’d like to sort it out soon. Then I’ll be happier again. “
