Sauber F1 driver Valtteri Bottas spoke in the press conference on Wednesday after the news broke that he and fellow driver Zhou Guanyu would be leaving at the end of the season.
50-50 chance of staying
The Finn stated that he got ‘a bit unlucky’ and that his future with the team ‘wasn’t meant to be’.
The 35-year-old stated that he was getting clues and figured out that Sauber had been considering other drivers, ultimately losing out to Gabriel Bortoleto.
“I think, you know, the closer we’re getting to that date, I did definitely figure out that there was other drivers as candidates as well.
“And of course, you start to hear rumours. So then in the end, I still thought it’s maybe 50-50 chance. And yeah, I got the call on Monday. But yeah, at least I know now. I just need to figure out what’s next.”
“I was talking to lots of people earlier because obviously by the end of your contract year you want to figure out but nothing went further and I still always showed my interest for the Audi project, but it just wasn’t meant to be and like I said, a bit unlucky.”
The future
The 10-time race winner is still not finished however, stating that he still has passion for the sport, and says he still has more to give.
However, Valtteri Bottas stated again that he is still figuring out what the next steps could be for his future in F1.
“The way my active F1 driving career ended for now, it wasn’t the best way that you can’t really decide yourself. I feel like still I have lots to give for the sport and I still love it.
“I love the racing against the best drivers in the world, in the best cars in the world. That’s what I love. So I’m just trying to figure out now what is the next move.
“So yeah, I don’t really have that much more. I’m taking it day by day. There’s some interesting stuff on the table and then we’ll see.“
Asked about if he was interested in endurance racing or IndyCar, the 10-time race winner says that it’s still too soon to consider, and that getting a contract in Formula One is his sole priority.
“For me, at the moment, I feel like jumping into a new category comes quite quick. You know, we’re almost in December.
“So yeah, I think that would be more realistic that if I didn’t find a seat in F1 during ‘25 or for ‘26, then probably would be from ‘26.
“But it’s all these things that I need to kind of try and plan. But the picture is starting to form in my head what is the ideal situation.”
Finishing on a high
Bottas is not yet hanging up the coat however, as there’s three races left, and with Sauber still scoreless, he wants to give it his all and get one or more in his final events with Sauber.
“Do my best, as always. I always give it my all.
“We still haven’t scored as a team this year, so of course scoring would be good. I think here we, probably Vegas on paper, we have the best chance in the remaining three races.
“But yeah, I’ll do my thing, give it all I have. That’s all.”
