Bottas gives update on future negotiations

Valtteri Bottas says talks with Audi about a seat next season are “progressing” and that he will “most likely” be in Formula 1 – however he is not yet in a position to confirm his plans.

The 10-time race winner’s hopes of staying in the sport rest with Sauber/Audi – the team with which he has spent the last three years.

The Finn has been the leading contender to secure the seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg next season since new boss Mattia Binotto took charge last month.

Speaking in Baku on Thursday, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Bottas seemed confident about his chances of staying, saying he and his management team are “almost in daily contact” with Binotto to discuss the future.

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Kick Sauber C44 Ferrari on — Bottas is hopeful of staying in F1 with Kick Sauber

“There’s always the contract situation which is an extra stress – it can be, let’s just say, but things are progressing,” he said.

“We’re still almost in daily contact with Mattia figuring out what each party wants and yeah, that’s about it.”

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He added: “The situation is now what it is but I’m less stressed now. For me, it’s now a clear direction what I want and I hope for the team as well.

“It’s a bit of a waiting game, it’s been actually a few months, but honestly I’m not really stressing about it now.

“We have a good relationship with Mattia and we have very open talks all the time, so things will eventually be set one way or the other.”

Bottas feeling 'positive' on contract negotiations

When asked if he would consider racing in another series if he couldn’t stay in F1, Bottas said: “I don’t think it’s necessary to think about that too much now.

“I think for me it’s very clear where I want to be and where I most likely will be, which is in Formula 1.

“Let’s say if it’s a hypothetical question of if not Formula 1, I would definitely race. I’m a racer, I’ve been racing all my life and I couldn’t just quit racing. Plan B would be IndyCar, try and win the championship in X amount of years, but I don’t think that’s yet.”

Several drivers have been linked with the seat, including Gabriel Bortoleto who is currently second in the F2 championship, but Bottas seemed calm about the threat.

“There’s always rumours about other names, but nothing that has impacted my position or situation in any way,” he said.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - SEPTEMBER 12: Gabriel Bortoleto of Brazil and Invicta Racing (10) looks on in — Gabriel Bortoleto is another name who has been linked with the seat at Sauber/Audi

Bortoleto is managed by double world champion Fernando Alonso’s driver management stable and fulfils the role of McLaren development driver alongside his F2 racing duties.

Aston Martin’s Alonso was full of praise for the youngster, who won the 2023 F3 championship, when asked about his progress during Thursday’s press conference in Baku.

“He's an incredible talent and a very humble person as well,” he said. “He's a hard worker, apart from his talent, and I think that's why in Formula 3 and Formula 2 he's had this much progress.

“I think also he's someone that is taking things very seriously as well, which at that age is never a guarantee.

“He won the championship as a rookie in Formula 3, and he's fighting for the championship as a rookie in Formula 2, but without the test of many other rookies. So, he's probably the only rookie, rookie in the championship – this was an amazing achievement so far.

“Let's see what the future brings. But it's a matter of time that he gets to F1.”