Valtteri Bottas, one of the drivers still without a contract for 2025, is frequently linked with a return to Williams, the racing team where he began his F1 career. While one seat at his current employer has already been filled – Nico Hülkenberg is leaving for Sauber next season – Bottas’ future remains uncertain. He recently made a notable visit to the British team in Imola, but whether a transfer was discussed is yet to be seen.
Prior to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas was spotted in the Williams motorhome. In a time when the transfer market is particularly tense, such visits do not go unnoticed. Bottas later confirmed that he indeed spoke with team boss James Vowles, but not necessarily to draft a new contract.
“James Vowles is a good friend of mine,” Bottas laughed afterwards. “I ran out of coffee, so I went to get some from him.” According to the Finn, there was nothing else of note to report. “We just chatted about life,” he admitted. “But of course, when you don’t have a contract yet, you want to calmly consider all options.”
‘We’re Also Talking to Others’
Vowles, in turn, can confirm that Williams is keeping all options open for 2025. Alex Albon has already signed a new contract with the Grove-based team, but a new contract for Logan Sargeant is still uncertain. According to the team boss, there are ‘three options’ for the near future. “If I can talk about it openly, I certainly will,” he said in Imola. “That won’t be long now.”
One of those options is, of course, an extension for Sargeant, although the American still leaves something to be desired. “He needs to prove himself first,” Vowles explained. “But it’s clear that we also need to talk to other parties, so that’s what we’re doing.” Whether Williams is considering a new collaboration with Valtteri Bottas will be revealed in due course.
