BELGIUM: In a strategic move that could shape his career trajectory, Valtteri Bottas, the seasoned Formula 1 driver, has revealed his intrigue about being a part of the anticipated transition to Audi F1.
Bottas, who currently pilots for Alfa Romeo, expressed his desire to stay on board through the impending rebranding of Alfa Romeo as Sauber and its eventual transformation into the Audi works team, slated for the year 2026.
At 33 years old, Bottas stands as one of the more seasoned figures in the F1 paddock, and if he remains active until the 2026 season, he could potentially become one of the sport’s elder statesmen, given the anticipated retirements of veterans like Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Sergio Perez.
However, retirement seems far from Bottas’ immediate plans, with his attention focused firmly on the prospect of being a key player in the switch to Audi.
Contrary to speculations that Alfa Romeo might be in a holding pattern until Audi’s arrival, Bottas dismissed such notions, clarifying that the perceived lack of progress within the team was due to the intense competition within the F1 field.
“Looking from the outside, it could look that way, that people are just waiting for Audi to come and so on,” he explained. “But it is not the case. Everyone is flat out, everyone is pushing. So we’re not standing still. It is just that the field is now so competitive, and, if you don’t start the season quite there, then it’s not easy to come back up. So we’re pushing, we’re not standing still.”
As the F1 community awaits the unfolding of this pivotal transition, Bottas remains at the crossroads of a momentous decision that could define the latter part of his racing career.
