“There’s other things as well than just pure performance” — Bottas waiting for Sainz decision as F1 future hangs in the balance

Valtteri Bottas in his Sauber F1 car with his helmet on
Photo Credit: Sauber
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The Formula 1 grid for 2025 is taking shape as Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly have re-signed with Aston Martin and Alpine.

Valtteri Bottas had hoped to also have his future finalised this week ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Finnish driver said he is clear on who he wants to drive for despite no announcement yet.

“I was hoping there would be decisions made earlier this week, but deadlines got pushed back again,” Bottas said on Thursday in Austria.

“So that’s the situation, so nothing new [from] last weekend.

“I’ve been active, less so in the race weekends because I want to focus on my job, but we need to start scoring – that’s the main thing now.

“But on my days off, I’ve been active with my management with different teams, including this team, obviously, so kind of waiting [for] a piece to fall into a place, and then it should all happen pretty quick.

“I’ve got my priority and my order, which I can’t tell you, but for me it’s pretty clear what I want.”

The 34-year-old said he is still in talks with Sauber. The Swiss team will be taken over by Audi in 2026, coinciding with Formula 1’s new regulations.

Other teams, such as Alpine, Williams and Haas, also have seats available for next season, which may also be options for Bottas.

Carlos Sainz will be leaving Ferrari at the end of the year and is seemingly becoming a cork in the bottle, holding up the driver market as others wait for the Spaniard to decide which team he will compete for next year.

Bottas hinted that he is waiting for Sainz to join his new team for 2025 before finalising his future.

“Because somebody else first has to decide where he’s going and that’s going to decide also, basically how it’s going to go.

“For me, initially, it was a bit weird why one driver would decide everything, but now from my recent understanding there’s reasons for it.

“As you know, this sport is not always fair. There’s other things as well than just pure performance.”