Valtteri Bottas: The F1 outsider's choices to get again on the grid in 2026 

The Components 1 driver merry-go-round was out of fee for 2024 as all of the crew caught with their line-ups from the earlier 12 months. However the wheels had been greased for the present season, and Valtteri Bottas was one of many drivers whose trip got here to an finish.

The 35-year-old has rejoined the queue to get again onboard, hoping his omission from F1 is momentary. He has actually achieved one of the best he can within the meantime, returning to his former crew, Mercedes, as a 3rd driver and receiving reward from crew principal Toto Wolff and new incumbent Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the rookie grateful to Bottas for his tutelage.

Cool down to observe a grand prix on any given Sunday in 2025 and there’s a good probability the tv director will change to a shot of Bottas at some stage, his mullet below a Mercedes cap and his moustache flowing freely.

However that’s not the form of long-term function a aggressive driver, with 12 years of F1 expertise and 10 grand prix wins, is proud of. Because of this Bottas is now weighing up his choices as 2026 seats begin to be locked in.

One place that doesn’t appear more likely to provide such solace is his present “dwelling,” with Mercedes set to stay with Antonelli and George Russell – regardless of the latter’s contract expiring on the finish of 2025 and with no extension signed as of but.

“Realistically, I believe Mercedes as a crew and Toto, I believe they’re fairly content material with their pairing in the meanwhile,” Bottas advised the Past the Grid podcast.

“You already know, Kimi is making progress. Sure, he had a few troublesome races just lately, however that is a part of the educational curve. I believe Kimi is extra their long-term funding. George has been doing an amazing job, very constant, getting a lot of the automobile.

Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber

Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs

“So I would not truly see a purpose for a change over there, even when I used to be the crew supervisor. After all, I’d take Valtteri Bottas as a driver, however you already know what I am saying!”

There could possibly be one other high crew trying to find a driver for subsequent 12 months, Crimson Bull has handed the reins of the second automobile to Yuki Tsunoda – virtually begrudgingly – and he’s more likely to be given the Sergio Perez golden handshake after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

For Bottas, although, a transfer to Milton Keynes additionally doesn’t appear to be on the playing cards: “I do not know if they appear exterior their academy. They’ve so many drivers,” he stated.

“They have clearly their junior crew as effectively, the RB. It is a powerful one as a result of it looks like it isn’t a straightforward automobile to drive. Clearly, Max is doing the job. He is actually pushing virtually past the boundaries of the automobile. And whoever has been alongside him hasn’t appeared nice.

“However I do not know. I simply marvel if that automobile, to be pushed quick, wants a driver with an expertise. So, I do not know. That is my hypothesis. However I believe they know that I am eager to race. They know that I’d be accessible for subsequent 12 months. However I do not know their mindset on that.”

Requested if he had spoken to Crimson Bull a few race seat in 2025, Bottas revealed some private beef might need saved him from doing so: “Not likely. It was put down fairly rapidly as a result of I believe there’s sure individuals or an individual throughout the Crimson Bull organisation that for some purpose will not be an enormous fan of mine. However that is life.”

Perhaps a crew additional down the grid may discover a place for Bottas, particularly, as he explains, he can carry a few of his personal backing.

Valtteri Bottas, Williams FW38, leads Felipe Massa, Williams FW38

Photograph by: Williams F1

“It will depend on the crew, however I do have some private companions that would doubtlessly be a part of me, however nonetheless to not an extent to some others. However let’s wait and see a couple of races, see how issues go. You by no means know if one thing opens up,” he stated.

There has emerged an apparent hyperlink to Alpine, who will race with Mercedes energy models from subsequent 12 months and, with Pierre Gasly’s multi-year deal requiring an extension and the second seat seemingly a five-race audition course of, Bottas could possibly be the reply.

“Most likely there was some discussions. I have not actually been concerned, however I do have a administration crew who’re at all times within the background seeing what’s on the market,” he stated of a possible change to Enstone. They do have a Mercedes energy unit for the longer term, which I believe is an effective name.

“They’re on their second driver this 12 months, and I believe the subsequent races will present how that goes once more. I believe on a battle avenue, as an example, expertise can at all times assist. However there’s a lot of politics on this sport, you already know. I haven’t got tens of hundreds of thousands to pay for a seat, for instance.”

Bottas’ choices are solely helped by the very fact F1 will welcome an eleventh crew onto the grid subsequent 12 months within the type of Cadillac. The all-American model might be eager to impress from the outset and placing a wizened head into one among their vehicles could possibly be a approach of doing simply that.

Perez has been closely linked with a Cadillac drive in current weeks however Bottas, too, would provide the brand new youngsters on the block a wealth of expertise, particularly with the brand new laws – though he’s not prepared to attend round to seek out out.

“I do not assume they’re in an enormous rush. They have been very, very busy on attempting to get a automobile on the grid for Melbourne subsequent 12 months, or for the primary take a look at early subsequent 12 months,” Bottas replied when requested about his Cadillac prospects.

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“Timeline-wise, I do know my timeline, once I need to learn about subsequent 12 months and what plans do I must make, which I believe August, kind of, is a fairly good goal for that. However hopefully we’ll hear one thing extra quickly.

“Once more, I believe they’ve a couple of drivers on the record. I’d think about my expertise will assist as a result of now I’ve raced in three completely different groups. One of many groups had mega success with Williams, as effectively had some nice, nice outcomes, and many others. So I hope I am in place. And for me, I truly see a really attention-grabbing mission, one thing new to Components 1, an American crew with perhaps a special view to the game.

“For me to, as an example, if I’d be there as a driver, can be truly very attention-grabbing as a result of you can begin from scratch. The crew begins from zero. And you possibly can truly make an enormous affect on sure issues, which route to go. And that may be very motivating and rewarding when the success comes.

“I believe rule change is at all times level to leap in since you simply by no means know. If you happen to immediately get it proper, you truly could be doing rather well from the get-go.”