F1 News: Valtteri Bottas Prioritizing Audi Over Mercedes Opportunity - "I’ve Got My List”

Valtteri Bottas clears reports of returning to Mercedes next year, emphasizing his wish to race for Audi in 2026.

Stake F1 driver Valtteri Bottas clarified that while he may consider driving again for Mercedes in the future, his number one choice and priority remains to continue driving for Sauber until the team is overtaken by Audi in 2026. He was also surprised by his ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari next year, which, according to him, is great for the driver market. 

Key Takeaways:

• Valtteri Bottas, currently driving for Sauber Stake F1, expresses his commitment to the team until Audi's takeover in 2026 but remains open to returning to Mercedes or joining any other team if the Audi plan doesn't materialize.
• Bottas was surprised by Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025, acknowledging the significant impact it will have on the driver market and speculating on future movements in the sport.
• Despite rumors of a potential return to Mercedes sparked by his presence at Brackley, Bottas emphasizes his primary focus on the Audi project but clarifies that he remains open to all possibilities regarding his future in Formula 1.

At the end of 2021, Bottas moved from Mercedes to the then-Alfa Romeo team, now known as the Stake F1 team, making way for George Russell's arrival in 2022. However, Hamilton's recent decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025 opens up the possibility of Bottas returning to his ex-team. Speculation about his return to Mercedes arose after he was seen at Brackley the day after Hamilton's announcement, although Bottas dismissed any advancement with the team.

Mercedes Press Image

Bottas prioritizes driving for Audi once the German manufacturer assumes control of the Stake F1 team in 2026, but he remains open to racing for Mercedes or any other team if that opportunity doesn't materialize. When asked for his reaction to Hamilton's shock announcement of moving to Ferrari next year, he told the media:

“Surprised, I never actually thought that could happen, but I think it’s good for him.

“I mean, it’s a big opportunity, it’s a big move, and obviously he’s made the decision himself.

“For sure, that’s going to now escalate some movement on the market for ’25, so at the moment it’s quite hard to predict how it’s going to go.

“I think it’s a great challenge. I’m sure it’s a big motivation for him to bring Ferrari to the top. So yeah, it’s kind of cool and, like I said, it will definitely create some movement for the future, which is good for the whole sport – and for some drivers.”

Despite his wish to race for Audi in the future, his current contract with the Stake F1 team expires at the end of this year. Revealing his plans for the future and clarifying the rumors related to him being seen in Brackley. Bottas added:

“It’s no lie, I was in Brackley the day before actually. Not at the Mercedes factory, but I was there doing some other stuff.

“No, we haven’t spoken on the phone yet with Toto, and if I would go back, well, obviously, my priority and biggest commitment is the Audi project, which is my target, but if that wouldn’t happen, then actually there’s no team that I wouldn’t go to, let’s say, perhaps, but I know my priorities and I’ve got my list.”

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