Bottas airs F1 future frustration after deadline pushback

Valtteri Bottas has confirmed he had hoped for progress on his future over the past few days, but deadlines being pushed back has delayed any news.

Between the Spanish and Austrian Grand Prix, the 34-year-old expected movement on his contract situation - or at least on that of the drivers he is tied to in the driver market. However, that did not happen.

It is believed the 10-time race winner is reliant on other pieces of the market moving first, which he will then be able to respond to, with his future not necessarily completely in his hands.

Alongside his current drive at Stake, the former Williams man has been linked to a return to the Grove-based squad to partner Alexander Albon. 

Although, reading between the lines of Bottas' comments, the suggestion is the news he was waiting on was the heavily-rumoured Sainz to Williams announcement, which has yet to take place.

He is also in the running for the one remaining Alpine seat, with Pierre Gasly signing on to a multi-year extension with the French team.

"No, actually not," he replied to media including RacingNews365 when asked if he had any news to share on his F1 future.

"I was hoping there would be decisions made earlier this week, but deadlines got pushed back again - that's the situation, so nothing new from last week."

Bottas focused on scoring points, not the driver market

With Lance Stroll also finalising his F1 plans, the number of available seats are starting to dwindle. However, the second Aston Martin seat was never seriously considered to be available to anyone other than the Canadian.

Having thought to be in the equation at Haas, speculation linking Bottas to the American team has cooled in recent weeks. Now, it looks set that Oliver Bearman will be confirmed ahead of the British Grand Prix, with Esteban Ocon partnering him in 2025.

Even without those options, Bottas is a key player in the market with the three teams he is linked to, with each still exploring its choices behind Sainz, who is the preferred candidate at each.

Despite the numerous conversations talking place, the Finnish driver is keeping his focus locked on improving Stake's outlook during the current season, with the team rooted to the bottom of the constructors' standings.

"I've been active [in conversations], less so in the race weekend, because I want to focus on my job and we [Stake F1] need to start scoring [points] - that's the main thing now," Bottas said.

"But yeah, on my days off, I've been active with my management with different teams, including this team, obviously. 

"So yeah, kind of waiting for a piece to fall into place and then it should all happen pretty quick."