Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas might not have a System 1 drive for 2025, however he’s not relying on under-pressure Sergio Perez’s hardship to supply him with an sudden alternative.
Crimson Bull’s 53-point deficit to McLaren with two grands prix left in 2024 means Perez’s underperformance will possible price his group the constructors’ title, because the veteran scored simply 49 factors within the newest 16 rounds – in comparison with Max Verstappen’s unmatched tally of 267.
Perez’s destiny can be determined on the finish of the season by Crimson Bull shareholders, as they ponder potential choices – however RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are but to stake their declare with commanding sufficient drives, whereas the group’s curiosity in Franco Colapinto has considerably died down following the Argentine’s three heavy crashes over the newest two grands prix.
In the meantime, after Sauber signed Nico Hulkenberg and F2 championship chief Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025, Bottas is prone to find yourself on the sidelines. Regardless of being typically thought-about a secure pair of arms and having comprehensively outperformed team-mate Zhou Guanyu this 12 months, the Finn isn’t anticipating to be given an opportunity by Crimson Bull.
“I really feel there’s some folks like Crimson Bull who do not actually like me, so it is a motive [not to wait for them],” Bottas stated. “So I do not know. I do not suppose it is an choice, however that is my feeling.”
The ten-time grand prix winner drove for Mercedes through the high-tension title struggle with Crimson Bull in 2021 – the final of his 5 seasons with the squad which he helped to win the constructors’ championship yearly.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Toto Wolff, Crew Principal and CEO, Mercedes AMG, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Photograph by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Photographs
It’s no secret that Bottas is now set for a return to the Brackley-based group – this time as a reserve driver.
“We have been speaking for fairly a very long time,” Bottas stated after Saturday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix relating to his conversations with Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff. “I am certain we’ll catch up once more both tomorrow or Monday.
“In fact I wish to see all of the choices, but when I take a look at it, there’s many constructive issues about it. Being again within the Mercedes household – it’s an excellent group, it is an excellent model. You’ll be able to create a number of alternatives for the longer term.
“So it is a actually stable choice for me, and truly I am actually grateful that they type of are keen to take me within the function.”
The 35-year-old is just not able to name time on his racing profession but and, if he have been to remain on the sidelines subsequent 12 months, might take into account new alternatives in 2026.
Requested if he could be within the Cadillac mission – which has since been green-lighted in precept by F1 – Bottas succinctly replied: “Sure, I would.”
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