Valtteri Bottas is set to drive his final race for Sauber this weekend, as the team opts for a new line-up next year featuring Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Bottas, meanwhile, has yet to secure a new employer. The Finnish driver is linked with the new Formula 1 team from Cadillac, but a return to Mercedes is also a possibility. He is confident that Abu Dhabi will not be his last race.
Valtteri Bottas switched from Mercedes to the then Sauber/Alfa Romeo in 2022. The Swiss racing stable has since rebranded itself as the Stake F1 Team. Another transition is planned for 2026 when the entire company will be taken over by Audi and transformed into a factory team. In anticipation of this takeover, the team will bolster its ranks next year with German Nico Hülkenberg and Formula 2 talent Gabriel Bortoleto. Consequently, Bottas and Guanyu Zhou will have to make way.
“This week, I began to realize that it’s almost over – for now,” Valtteri Bottas told the media in Abu Dhabi. The Finn is confident that his departure from Sauber does not signify the end of his Formula 1 career. “I still believe this is not my last race,” he explained. “We’ll see how it goes this weekend. After that, we’ll look ahead.”
Possible Return to Mercedes?
Bottas may return to Mercedes next year. The 35-year-old driver raced for the German team for five seasons before being replaced by George Russell. The Silver Arrows are now looking for a replacement for Mick Schumacher. The youngest Schumacher has served as a test and reserve driver for two years but wants to ‘pursue new career opportunities’ in 2025. Bottas confirmed that there is mutual interest, but he is not in a hurry to sign a contract. “We’ll continue the conversation after the final races,” he revealed.
In addition to a possible return to Mercedes, Bottas is also being mentioned as a potential driver for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team. The American automotive giant will debut as the eleventh team on the grid in 2026. They may be looking for an experienced driver to establish a strong foundation.
