Valtteri Bottas reflects on his poor final Grand Prix with Sauber in Abu Dhabi. The Finn also broke down the failings of the team over his three year stint as Hinwil.
Valtteri Bottas suffered a point-less season in 2024, with the Finn finishing the season 22nd in the championship. Speaking after his final Grand Prix with Sauber in Abu Dhabi, he discussed his messy race and subsequent penalty.
Two unfortunate pieces of contact
An opening lap clash with Perez caused damage to the Finn’s Sauber, dampening his impressive qualifying performance. A late stage collision with Kevin Magnussen on cold tyres then made it a final race to forget for Bottas.
“Yeah, it’s a shame,” he said. “Today really didn’t go my way. I mean, it started with the incident with Checo. I was on the inside and he took a very tight line, which he’s obviously allowed to, but I just couldn’t disappear anywhere. And got a penalty for it, which is a real shame.
“In the end, I was just trying to defend as hard as I could. With the old tyres, I locked up. And I think Kevin was just unlucky that he was where he was because I was just going straight. I knew the moment I touched the brakes and locked up that that’s it.
“So it’s a shame. But it’s not the first disappointment, so I’m actually just now relieved that this era, this section of my career is over. And now just really looking ahead and going to work hard and trying to make the best plan how to be back on the grid.”
Bottas: A mistake to join Sauber; Vasseur departing key
Reflecting on his decision to join the then Alfa Romeo squad for the 2022 season, the Finn claims in hindsight it was a mistake. With promises falling through, and key players leaving the squad, the situation went from bad to worse over Bottas’ Sauber stint.
“No, it was a mistake,” Bottas replied when asked if he had made the right decision. “But you can’t predict the future. Everything started well off in the first year, but since then it was downhill. You just can’t predict the future. That’s how it is. I just want to make sure that the next move I make is going to be a good one and hopefully there’s better times to come.”
Further explaining his decision, Bottas said now Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur played a key role in his signing. He went on to admit the team’s progress stalled following his departure.
“Fred was a big part.” Bottas said. “I used to work with him before. There was a clear plan and targets for the three years, and also how to get there. But those plans and targets went into the bin when he left.
“Of course it was [disappointing]. We had a good relationship, and like I said, clear targets. Yeah, that changed a lot. But yeah, I don’t blame him, because if you’re a team principal, if you had a chance to go to Ferrari, you go.”
Bottas went on to take a shot at the team, claiming they misled him to keep him on board. With the announcement of Audi joining the team from 2026, he was promised he would play a key role. He admits that while the option to leave was open, he stayed in the hopes of working with Audi.
“Yes, for sure,” he replied when asked if he had considered other options following Vasseurs departure. “But when he left, it was quite late. Well, it was only at the very end of the year. I did have an option that if Fred goes, I can go.
“But I was then… Once Audi confirmed their joining, I was always told that I was going to be the pillar for the project. And well, that didn’t happen. So they kind of had me over.”
What does the future hold?
Looking to his future, Bottas claims news on his next move may be made public as early as this week. Having failed to secure a seat for 2025, he made it clear a full time return for the 2026 season is the goal.
“Maybe next week,” he said on Sunday when asked about an announcement for the future. “But first I need to sign something.
“[A return in 2026] is what I hope, and that’s the target. I think there will be opportunities, but for that I still need to keep driving, make sure I get some testing, and be involved. So, yeah, that’s the target.”
