After three seasons with Sauber, Valtteri Bottas finds himself on the Formula 1 sidelines for 2025, navigating what he describes as an “unlucky situation” that left him without a race seat. Despite a solid campaign in a struggling car, Sauber’s decision to overhaul its lineup, opting for rookie Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hulkenberg, ended Bottas’s hopes of staying on the grid.
The Fall from Sauber
Bottas, who had anchored Sauber since 2022, was angling for a renewal, especially with the team’s much-anticipated transformation into Audi’s works squad by 2026. However, he started hearing whispers of his fate shortly before the official announcement.
“A couple of days before the decision, I started hearing rumors,” Bottas admitted. “It was very obvious there was nothing more I could have done. When one door closes, another opens, and that brings new opportunities for the future.”
Despite outclassing teammate Zhou Guanyu in qualifying and race results throughout 2024, Bottas’s consistent performances weren’t enough to secure his seat in a team clearly focused on long-term investments.
A Return to Mercedes
With Sauber opting for youth and fresh talent, Bottas quickly pivoted, securing a reserve driver role with Mercedes for 2025—a team he knows well from his five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton. While it’s not a race seat, the move offers Bottas a chance to stay connected to the sport while exploring future opportunities.
“It’s just how things panned out,” Bottas said of his return to Mercedes. “We tried everything we could with management, but things went in an unlucky way. I’ve accepted it.”
Audi’s Long Road Ahead
Part of Bottas’s disappointment lies in his commitment to the Audi project. Under former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, Sauber’s transition to Audi’s works team is expected to be a multi-year endeavor, with competitiveness potentially only arriving by 2030.
“I always knew it wouldn’t be easy for Audi,” Bottas explained. “That’s why I made it very clear I wouldn’t be ready for just one year. It’s a long-term project, and I was committed to that vision.”
Binotto, inheriting a turbulent team, has publicly acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, and Bottas’s experience might have provided much-needed stability. However, Sauber’s management prioritized its future trajectory, banking on Bortoleto’s potential.
Frustration Without Bitterness
Despite the setback, Bottas remains pragmatic, recognizing the commercial realities of Formula 1. “This sport is not fair,” he admitted. “It’s a big business. There are many factors in driver decisions. It doesn’t make me mad—it’s just the way it is.”
Reflecting on his 2024 season, Bottas takes pride in his individual performances, even as Sauber’s uncompetitive C44 limited his results. “I don’t think anyone, not even Max Verstappen, could have scored points with this car before the late upgrades,” he remarked.
A Future in Formula 1?
While Bottas’s immediate future lies off the grid, his return to Mercedes offers a lifeline. The Finn remains optimistic about the doors this new chapter might open. “Your career isn’t over until it’s over,” Bottas quipped, hinting that his time in Formula 1 might not be finished just yet.