Valtteri Bottas Leading the Race for Sauber F1 Seat
Valtteri Bottas is currently the frontrunner to secure the second seat at Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The 35-year-old driver impressed many during the Italian Grand Prix weekend by achieving a top-five finish in FP1. This strong performance has put him at the top of Sauber’s list of potential candidates for the final year of the current rules cycle before Audi takes over the team in 2026.
According to reports from Motorsport.com’s Italian edition, Bottas has been offered a one-year deal to continue with Sauber. However, the Finnish driver is reportedly seeking a one-plus-one deal, indicating his desire for a longer-term commitment with the team. Sauber’s initial choice was Carlos Sainz, but the Spanish driver opted to join Williams instead. As a result, Sauber is now focusing on securing Bottas for the upcoming season.
Audi’s Interest in Sauber’s Future Line-Up
Audi, the future owner of the Sauber team, had initially hoped to sign Carlos Sainz for the upcoming season. However, with Sainz choosing to move to Williams, Audi is now considering offering a one-year deal only to its drivers for the 2026 season. This approach allows Audi to carefully select its line-up for the following year when it officially enters Formula 1 as a team.
In the event that Audi decides to shift its focus to other drivers, McLaren’s young talent Gabriel Bortoleto could be a potential candidate. Bortoleto, who won the Formula 3 championship last year, has shown promise in the junior categories and could be a valuable addition to the team in the future.
Bottas’s Trust in Sauber’s New Leadership
Valtteri Bottas has expressed his confidence in Sauber’s new chief operating officer and chief technical officer, Mattia Binotto. Despite the team’s struggles to find competitive form this season, Bottas believes that Binotto’s leadership will bring positive changes to the team’s performance in the long run.
Reflecting on the team’s development challenges, Binotto acknowledged that Sauber has not made significant progress compared to other teams like Alpine. He emphasized the need for substantial improvements in order to stay competitive in the field. Bottas praised Binotto for his leadership qualities and expressed his willingness to continue working with him to drive the team forward.
During discussions with Binotto about his future with Sauber, Bottas highlighted the importance of being part of an interesting project with a car manufacturer. He emphasized the mutual interest between him and the team in exploring long-term collaboration. While progress has been made in negotiations, Bottas remains focused on his current racing responsibilities and looks forward to potentially extending his stay with Sauber.
Conclusion
As Valtteri Bottas emerges as the leading candidate for the second Sauber F1 seat, the team’s future lineup and strategic decisions are under scrutiny. With Audi set to take over the team in 2026, the choice of drivers for the upcoming season is crucial in shaping Sauber’s trajectory in Formula 1. Bottas’s trust in Sauber’s new leadership and his commitment to the team’s development highlight the potential for a strong partnership moving forward. As negotiations continue and the season progresses, the final decision on the team’s driver lineup will play a significant role in determining Sauber’s competitiveness in the coming years.