Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas could 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.
Purple Bull’s 53-point deficit to McLaren with two grands prix left in 2024 means Perez’s underperformance will doubtless value his crew 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 Purple 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 crew’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 more likely to find yourself on the sidelines. Regardless of being usually thought of a protected pair of palms and having comprehensively outperformed team-mate Zhou Guanyu this yr, the Finn isn’t anticipating to be given an opportunity by Purple Bull.
“I really feel there’s some folks like Purple Bull who do not actually like me, so it is a purpose [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 combat with Purple 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, Group Principal and CEO, Mercedes AMG, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Picture by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Photographs
It’s no secret that Bottas is now set for a return to the Brackley-based crew – 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 concerning his conversations with Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff. “I am positive we’ll catch up once more both tomorrow or Monday.
“After all I wish to see all of the choices, but when I have a look at it, there’s many constructive issues about it. Being again within the Mercedes household – it’s an excellent crew, it is an excellent model. You’ll be able to create a number of alternatives for the long run.
“So it is a actually stable choice for me, and truly I am actually grateful that they sort of are keen to take me within the function.”
The 35-year-old will not be able to name time on his racing profession but and, if he have been to remain on the sidelines subsequent yr, could take into account new alternatives in 2026.
Requested if he could be within the Cadillac undertaking – which has since been green-lighted in precept by F1 – Bottas succinctly replied: “Sure, I would.”
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