Formula 1: Valtteri Bottas chances slim despite ‘not done yet’ claim

Formula 1: Valtteri Bottas chances slim despite 'not done yet' claim

As a long-time Formula 1 enthusiast who has witnessed Bottas’ impressive career with Williams and Mercedes, it is disheartening to see him struggle in his recent stint at Alfa Romeo (Sauber). The Finnish driver’s regret over his three years there is understandable, given the lackluster results and slow car performances.

When Valtteri Bottas transferred from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo (formerly known as Sauber) in 2022, many didn’t view it as a negative decision due to his wish for a longer contract with reduced pressure. However, his recent public admission of regret over his three-year tenure at Sauber offers a clear insight into his feelings about the move.

After the year 2022, the 35-year-old didn’t have a standout season, and he managed to score points on just four separate occasions since early 2023. Most of this struggle was due to Sauber fielding a car that was significantly slow and unable to keep pace with competitors.

When Gabriel Bortoleto was officially added to Sauber’s roster for 2025 alongside Nico Hulkenberg, it effectively ended any chance Valtteri Bottas had of continuing with the team. Now, his focus has shifted towards securing a reserve position in the upcoming season, hoping to secure a full-time driving spot again in 2026.

Despite claims that he is not done yet, Valtteri Bottas’ chances are still low.

As the Finnish driver hinted that he wasn’t finished with Formula 1 during the concluding race weekend of his tenure with Sauber, he harbored a specific strategy. Yet, this plan might not align with the requirements other teams may seek in a racing driver.

For the very first time in Formula 1 history, there were no driver swaps between the conclusion of the 2023 season and the start of the 2024 season. However, as we approach 2025, Formula 1 is gearing up for a fresh influx of young talents to join the sport.

As a gaming enthusiast, I find myself thrilled at the prospect of four fresh racers joining the 2025 racing scene, accounting for about one-fifth of the total grid. There’s even speculation that Isack Hadjar might be the fifth newcomer. When the time came to decide Hulkenberg’s teammate, Sauber chose Bortoleto over Bottas, despite Bottas being linked with Audi’s 2026 project initially when he joined the team.

Due to his advanced age and subpar performance over the past couple of years, it’s probable that teams might be cautious about offering him another opportunity. Furthermore, Bottas has openly pursued other passions outside of racing during this period.

In the racing community, Bottas has a reputation for being a strong cyclist – he even competed in the UCI Gravel World Championships held in Belgium this year. Beyond his racing career, he’s also involved in entrepreneurial pursuits such as co-owning a coffee roastery and a gin company. With some downtime from racing ahead, there’s an opportunity for him to focus more on growing these businesses, potentially serving as another revenue stream.

2024-12-11 16:02

Daniel Craig admits he still gets jealous of other actors when they get jobs he wants: ‘It’ll eat you up’