Bottas Aspires To Seat In Audi But Seeks Car Upgrade To Prove His Strengths
F1
Valtteri Bottas's contract with Alfa Romeo/Sauber ends at the end of the 2024 season, and the Finn discussed his options in a recent interview.
Valtteri Bottas has raced for Alfa Romeo/Sauber for two seasons already. While he has beaten his teammate pretty constantly, the 34-year-old complained he couldn't really show what he's got because of his car's low performance.
Bottas is one of multiple drivers on the grid whose contract expires at the end of the next season. Asked whether he had any plans afterward, he told Motorsport Magazin:
"This is something we need to discuss with the team. Of course, everyone knows that Audi will officially take over in 2026. Of course, this is an exciting project and would be a continuation of this project for me."
Alfa Romeo/ Sauber is not the most attractive team on the grid at the moment after the best finish of P6 in the Constructors' Championship in the last five years.
On the other hand, the team might become much more lucrative from the 2026 season onwards when its partnership with Audi starts. While Finn shared he would like to stay with the team, it is not something that has been discussed so far.
"But the team has not yet decided what the driver pairing should look like after next year. I think these discussions will take place next year. Everything is still pretty open now."
Audi will be a new works team (producing its own engines), and the brand has a history of success in multiple other series, so even drivers from teams at the top of the grid might be interested in joining the new German team.
The competition for the two seats will therefore be very high. The 34-year-old hopes he can show his qualities in 2024, even in the team that will most probably not compete for podiums.
"I hope so. I hope that we can find a little more pace and that I get a car that I can do something with. In this way I want to show them that my speed and experience would be valuable to them."
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