For the first time in his professional motorsport career, Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas is part of the Formula 1 paddock without actually competing in the championship. At the end of the 2024 Formula One season, Valtteri Bottas concluded his adventure with Sauber, bringing to a close a chapter that he had initially hoped would continue through the transition to Audi. However, the allure and atmosphere of the pinnacle of motorsport proved too strong to resist, especially after observing the races from the sidelines and feeling the urge to get back into action.
When the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, the very team with which Valtteri Bottas spent the most successful period of his F1 career—securing numerous Constructors’ Championship titles—offered him a simulator and reserve driver role, he did not hesitate. It was an opportunity to stay technically up to date, maintain strong ties with the sport, and keep honing his skills in the simulator. And now, his Formula 1 journey may not be over just yet, as several teams are reportedly interested in signing him for the 2026 season, when the new power unit regulations will be introduced.
Speaking on Formula 1’s official podcast Beyond The Grid, Valtteri Bottas opened up about his current situation and future prospects, even revealing past negotiations with teams. “I definitely feel like I’m not done with Formula 1 yet,” said Bottas, hinting strongly at a potential comeback. Indeed, his name continues to circulate in the paddock as a potential candidate for a 2026 seat. The 35-year-old driver did not part ways with Sauber in 2024 by choice. He had initially hoped to remain with the Hinwil-based outfit until the Audi transition, but plans shifted suddenly.
“I’m here without a seat, but not because I chose to step away. I still have a lot to give. Racing is still the most important thing in my life,” he explained. “That feeling has grown stronger now that I’ve had time to reflect. I really miss racing. I just feel that, especially in the last couple of years of my career, things didn’t end the way I would have liked. Towards the end of last year, in some qualifying sessions and races, I felt at my very best. I haven’t felt any decline in performance—that’s why I want to keep going.”
A future with Cadillac?
One of the most concrete opportunities for Valtteri Bottas could be with the new Formula 1 team from Cadillac, which is set to enter the championship grid starting in the 2026 season. The American team has already expressed interest in signing one American driver and pairing them with a driver who brings more experience in Formula 1. Valtteri Bottas fits that second profile perfectly.
“I don’t think they’re in a rush,” Bottas noted. “They’ve been very busy trying to get a car on the grid for next year. I know my own timeline—I want to know by August what’s going to happen and what plans I should make. That seems like a good target to me. But I do hope to hear something soon. I think they have a few drivers on their list.”
He believes his background could be a strong asset: “My experience would definitely help them. I’ve raced for three different teams, including one that achieved massive success. Even with Williams, we had some very strong results. I hope that puts me in a good position.”
Next season will mark Cadillac’s debut in Formula 1, and it comes at a complex moment—the sport’s major regulatory overhaul. This context could play in Bottas’s favor, as his experience could help guide the team through this transitional period.
“I see this as a very interesting project,” said Bottas. “It’s something new in Formula 1: an American team bringing a different perspective to the sport. If I were there as a driver, it would be very exciting, because you’re starting from scratch. The team is starting from zero, and that means you can have a big influence on decisions and direction. That’s very motivating. And when success comes, it would be incredibly rewarding.”
Bottas added that regulation changes offer the ideal opportunity for a fresh start. “Whenever there’s a major rules change, you never know—if you make the right moves, you could achieve strong results straight away.”
In recent weeks, rumors have circulated about a possible move from Max Verstappen to Mercedes and about Christian Horner’s controversial departure from Red Bull Racing. Amid the ongoing speculation regarding both team and driver futures, Valtteri Bottas admitted that there had been past contact with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
“Did I talk with Red Bull for 2025? Not really,” he revealed. “It was dismissed pretty quickly, probably because there are one or more people inside Red Bull who, for whatever reason, aren’t particularly big fans of mine. But that’s just life.” He added that he does not believe Red Bull would currently look outside of its driver academy, given the number of talents they already have between the main team and their junior program.
Another potential opportunity for Bottas is Alpine, the Enstone-based team and Mercedes customer, which faces uncertainty in its driver lineup—especially if young talent Franco Colapinto fails to meet expectations. Valtteri Bottas confirmed that his management team has had discussions with Alpine, and he is certainly open to the idea, especially considering the team’s future switch to Mercedes power units.
“They’re already on their second driver this season,” Valtteri Bottas remarked. “I think the next few races will show how things are progressing. Experience can always help, but there are many politics in this sport. I, for instance, don’t have tens of millions to pay for a seat.”
The Finnish driver also revealed that he had held initial discussions with several teams early last year, knowing that his contract was nearing its end. However, he never fully committed to those options because he was convinced he would remain part of Audi’s long-term plan—only to discover too late that he had been left out of the equation.
“I had talks with quite a few teams at the start of last year, knowing my contract was expiring,” Valtteri Bottas shared. “But I never went all-in because I believed I was part of the Audi takeover. I found out too late that I wasn’t. The problem came after the Brazilian Grand Prix. I think some people knew before I did. That really messed everything up, and by then, it was obviously too late to fix anything else.”
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