Bottas and Zhou at odds over Audi F1 seat

Audi F1 hopefuls Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have revealed they hold differing priorities over the length of an extension at the team.

The Sauber-run Stake squad will transition to Audi for the 2026 campaign, with Nico Hulkenberg already signed up on a multi-year deal starting next year.

Bottas and Zhou are hoping to follow suit and join Hulkenberg at the team in 2025 in preparation for Audi's arrival.

Audi chief operating officer Mattia Binotto is present at Monza this weekend, with Bottas confirming he will hold talks with the Italian.

“I think it's good that the leader coming in, what we need in this team now is a clear leader and to be present,” Bottas told media including RacingNews365. “So that's very good. 

“It will give me a chance to have a coffee with him as well.”

Bottas asserted that he is “only interested in a multi-year contract” as he looks for career stability for the coming years.

However, the 10-time grand prix is not expecting to resolve his future over the Italian Grand Prix weekend from Monza.

“We continued the discussions [over the future] this week,” Bottas added. “I was at the factory on Tuesday and I’m making progress.

“We’re not going to sign contracts here, we’re here to race and focus on bouncing back after difficult weekend. Then there's always next week.”

Zhou open to one-year Stake F1 extension

As Audi mulls over its options, Zhou Guanyu provides the chance to explore a different avenue.

The Chinese driver, who is currently in his third F1 season, would be willing to accept a one-year deal.

Such a scenario would allow the team to have some stability within its driver line-up before reassessing its options before the start of 2026 when new technical regulations will come into play.

“I spoke to him back in the factory over his first week working together with the team,” Zhou said of Binotto. 

“I think it's good for him to keep an eye on what's on the trackside and where to improve it using his knowledge and experience he has from other teams.

“I think it's good, it's beneficial for us, and obviously from my side. Of course, discussing about the future is one of the key [topics].”

When asked by RacingNews365 if he would settle for a single-year contract, Zhou replied: “Yeah, I'm happy, it's not the first time having a single-year contract, so it wouldn't change a lot of the story for me.

“But on the other side, we need to see what it can bring. Because obviously, when you have a single year, you're looking more towards Audi, because I think next year, I don't feel it will change a lot.

“But when Audi arrive, I think that's where the bigger change, in terms of pure performance and also fighting closer to the top three. That's where we want to be.”