Valtteri Bottas To Miss Out In 2025 Seat Shuffle?

According to Finnish reporter Ismo Uusitupa, the 2024 season might mark Valtteri Bottas‘ final year in Formula 1.

In light of the news that his ex-teammate at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, is set to join Ferrari in 2025, Bottas playfully shared an image on X of himself seated at a table with his phone before him.

He also dropped hints on social media about a recent trip to Brackley, where Mercedes’ headquarters are located.

The 34-year-old Bottas, who is currently with the Stake F1 Team — may find himself without a team to drive for in 2025, as suggested by Uusitupa in an article for the Ilta Sanomat newspaper.

This speculation arises from the anticipated shuffle in the driver market, with Carlos Sainz, who will be leaving Ferrari in 2025, reportedly being linked with a switch to Audi. Audi, the automaker owned by VW, is set to take over Sauber in 2026.

“Bottas’ chances to continue with Sauber are beginning to look slim,” the F1 correspondent wrote.

“In theory, the other place (at Sauber-Audi) could be available. But if Sauber continues with the same system as several other lower-level teams, Bottas will be left behind,” Uusitupa explained.

“Sauber is now in the situation where Bottas is the hired driver and Zhou Guanyu is there with Chinese money. So if Sainz becomes the hired driver, the question is what kind of driver will the other one be?”

Bottas may therefore need to seek a new team for 2025, but Uusitupa said: “That’s possible, but it may be difficult.

“In any case, Bottas has a big season ahead of him.”