Valtteri Bottas has confirmed his upcoming departure from Sauber after a season filled with negotiations about extending his F1 journey with the team into its forthcoming era as a works Audi outfit. But despite his ambitions and hopeful talks, Bottas revealed that the “conditions to grow together were not met,” and the partnership will end after the 2024 season.
Sauber recently announced that Bottas, along with his current teammate Guanyu Zhou, would make way for a new lineup in 2025, featuring Formula 2 points leader Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hulkenberg. Bottas had been open about his desire to remain with Sauber as it transitions to Audi, but the team, led by newly appointed boss Mattia Binotto, opted to go in a different direction. Bortoleto’s youth will now complement Hulkenberg’s experience in a lineup that Sauber believes aligns with their evolving goals.
Reflecting on the decision, Bottas, a ten-time Grand Prix winner, spoke candidly: “A situation like this is never easy for anyone. After all the good and in-depth discussions we had in the past weeks, we realised that the conditions to grow this project together were not met.”
Bottas continued, expressing gratitude for his time at Sauber: “These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I’m grateful for the joint experiences as well as the trust and support I’ve felt every step of the way. Though it’s time to move on, I’ll always carry a piece of this team with me, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us both.”
Binotto, who stepped into his role earlier this year to spearhead the Sauber-Audi transformation, emphasized that the decision was mutual. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Valtteri for the past three years together. He has been the embodiment of professionalism, using his vast experience to support the team’s growth. Valtteri’s dedication and approach have been invaluable during a pivotal time in our history, and the memories of these years will stay with us for a long time.”
While Binotto acknowledged that Bottas was considered a strong candidate for the new era, he stated, “With his fighting spirit, he frequently pushed the car beyond its performance limits. However, a decision had to be made. After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that final conditions could not be met, so we agreed that it is time to part ways.”
As Bottas reflects on the end of this chapter, he has hinted at possible next steps, including a potential return to Mercedes in a reserve role. The departure signals a pivotal shift for Sauber, which has its sights set on a fresh start with Audi.
