Valtteri Bottas has reiterated that he intends to remain in Formula 1 for the foreseeable future as he pinpoints Audi’s arrival as a “big opportunity” to return to the front.
Bottas landed 10 race wins during his five-season stint with Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, but he has not stood on an F1 podium since moving to Sauber in 2022.
Despite the disappointing results in recent times, Bottas insists that he isn’t pondering calling time on his career and is excited about the future with the Swiss outfit.
It was announced last week that Audi’s takeover of the Hinwil-based squad will be a complete, 100 per cent acquisition when new technical regulations come in 2026.
Bottas is convinced the German marque’s maiden venture into F1 could provide the springboard that will see him get back to competing for results at the sharp end.
“I really want to carry on, and I really want to get closer to the top fighting for proper results,” Bottas admitted at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. “And I see a big opportunity on the Audi project, which the team is becoming officially Audi in 2026.”
“I think that is interesting always when you have a big manufacturer like that entering the sport. I think there is an opportunity for me.
“So that is the priority, but if for some reason if not, I think the drivers market is pretty wide open for next year.”
Although he will turn 35 in August, Bottas is adamant that Fernando Alonso’s continued excellence showcases that he would be capable of delivering at the top level.
Asked about how long he wants to extend his F1 stint, Bottas said: “I don’t have a number, in terms of years, because I don’t see my time in F1 ending any time soon.
“So, I am now 34, and Fernando Alonso is 65 (laughs), so he is a pretty good reference that you can still perform.”
Sauber has endured a miserable beginning to the 2024 season, with both drivers being eliminated in Q1 in the opening two rounds and failing to score a single point.
However, Bottas asserts that external factors have disguised the true potential of Sauber’s C44 package, and he is hopeful upgrades will boost its competitiveness.
“In Saudi, I should have been in Q2 without the traffic in qualifying,” he argued. “So, I think we haven’t seen where we are [in the pecking order]. Melbourne is going to be better.”
“We already have some upgrades coming to this weekend and the next race in Japan. So, let’s see, because a small improvement can really get you closer to the top 10.”
