With the F1 season drawing to a close, only two spots remain confirmed on the 2025 grid, with Visa Cash App RB F1 Team being the favourites, with current driver Daniel Ricciardo and reserve driver Liam Lawson as the favourites.
The other position? Sauber, currently held by Valtteri Bottas. The team has confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg will drive for the next team before Sauber transitions to an Audi works operation in 2026, but the team is yet to confirm a second driver.
Speaking to the official F1 Channel ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Bottas explained how negotiations with teams were progressing and that F1 was the “most likely” destination for him next year.
“Yes, there's a lot to think about in this sport. Just a race weekend is very taxing mentally and physically and there's always contractual issues which adds extra stress,” Bottas said. “But things are moving forward.
“We still keep in touch with Mattia almost every day. [Binotto]It's about understanding what each party wants, and, yeah, that's it. But I'm always positive.”
Pressed on the matter, Bottas said F1 was his “most likely” destination next season, but did not rule out a “hypothetical” move to another series, specifically naming IndyCar as a Plan B.
“I don't think I need to think too much about it,” Bottas said. “Right now I'm [it’s] I'm clear about where I want to be, and probably where I am: F1.
“But even if it's not F1, I'll definitely be racing. I'm a racer and I've been racing all my life, so I can't stop racing,” Bottas continued. “Plan B is IndyCar and winning the championship within X number of years.”
Earlier this week SB Nation We've published an exclusive interview with the Sauber driver, delving into the future of his contract, and his comments in Azerbaijan are similar to those made earlier this week.
“We're still working on it,” Bottas said. SB Nation“There's been a little bit of progress, but that's all I can say for now. We've had some good discussions and we'll continue that in the next few days. That's all I can say. Either way, everything will be fine.”
His fans are hoping that the news will come soon.
