Bottas to retire or to stay in F1 in 2025? He explains himself

Valtteri Bottas' career in Formula 1 appears to be hanging by a thread. With the contracting of Nico Hulkenberg and continued interest in Carlos Sainz, it seems that there is no place for the Finn in 2025 at (currently) Stake F1, the team that will subsequently become Audi. Although Bottas' name does not fall much in the rumour circuit, the former vice-world champion is convinced that there is still a place for him somewhere on the F1 grid.

Bottas made no secret of his desire to stay with Audi for longer in recent months. But after several down years - partly due to the Swiss team's weak car - love with his current employer seems to have cooled. So Audi decided to look further and already brought a German to the team, which may start racing under the German flag as early as '25. If all goes to plan for Audi - soon to be fully owned by Sauber - Carlos Sainz will soon join Hulkenberg.

It is possible that Bottas could be in the picture again for Audi, should the deal with Sainz not go through. And even if the German manufacturer's answer is 'no', Bottas expects to find employment elsewhere. So his career will end permanently after this season? "No. There are options. I have the feeling that things will start soon," said the Finn to Motorsportweek.

Bottas says it would be "ideal" if there is clarity about his future within a few weeks. In doing so, he says the "talks have started" and there are "it should be an interesting few weeks." Incidentally, Bottas does not mention any names of teams that might want to attract him.