F1 News: Valtteri Bottas Reveals His Contract Is Coming To An End At Stake F1 Team
Valtteri Bottas, currently racing for Stake F1, has made a surprising revelation about his contract's duration, hinting at a potential end after the upcoming season. This announcement ties directly into the ongoing speculation about Audi's involvement and driver line-up in Formula 1.
Key Takeaways:
- Audi's Entry and Driver Decisions: Audi, set to enter Formula 1 in 2026, has been making significant moves, including acquiring a stake in Sauber. They are actively considering driver options for their team.
- Bottas' Current Contract: Contrary to previous assumptions, Valtteri Bottas has confirmed his current contract with Stake F1, associated with Audi, only extends to the end of the next season. Discussions for an extension are planned for early 2024.
- Bottas' Future with Audi: Expressing a strong preference for continuing with Audi, Bottas indicates that a new contract for 2025 might also cover 2026, Audi's debut year in F1. However, he remains open to other opportunities if a deal with Audi doesn't materialise.
Amidst the buzz around Audi's planned entry into Formula 1 in 2026, Valtteri Bottas, currently racing for Stake F1, has made a noteworthy revelation regarding the length of his contract. Contrary to the widespread belief that he was signed until the end of 2025, Bottas has clarified in a conversation with Motorsport.com that his contract concludes after the upcoming season. This revelation brings a new dynamic to the speculation surrounding Audi's future driver line-up.
Audi, which has recently taken a stake (hehe, see what I did there) in the Sauber team, is preparing to make its mark in Formula 1. The team, currently racing as Stake F1, will feature Guanyu Zhou and, we assumed Bottas for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Bottas's future with the team, however, is now a subject of discussion.
Bottas, a seasoned competitor and former Formula 1 vice-world champion, has indicated a strong preference for continuing with Audi, stating:
"From my understanding, they're going to make decisions of the years ahead early [this] year. So not yet. I'm going to have those discussions in the first quarter of [this] year."
He continued:
"Being part of Audi would be my number one priority and preference. But if for some reason not, then absolutely I would talk to [other teams]. I want to be around because I feel like I still have some unfinished things in this sport."
This implies that securing a contract for 2025 could also cover Audi's inaugural F1 season in 2026.
Bottas's impending contract expiration with Stake F1 sets the stage for crucial negotiations, shaping his future in the sport and potentially influencing Audi's strategy as they prepare for their Formula 1 debut. Only time will tell.