Bottas confirms Audi involvement in key decision

Valtteri Bottas has confirmed that Audi will have a say in Stake’s Formula 1 line-up for the 2025 campaign.

The decision is likely to be made with a view to the following campaign when Audi will join the grid as a works team and take over the Sauber-controlled squad that currently runs under the Stake moniker.

In 2022, Audi confirmed its plan to join the grid when new technical regulations come into play for 2026, constructing its own engine as well as the car.

Doubts were raised over the entry during the ensuing year amid senior changes at the organisation.

However, earlier this month the German manufacturer declared its intentions to complete a 100 per cent takeover of Sauber.

Although its entry is still two years away, Audi will chime in on discussions regarding drivers for next season.

“We are going to speak eventually, not yet,” Bottas told media including RacingNews365. “And of course Audi will be involved in the in the driver pairing as well for the future.

“It’s not [now] when they are going to decide but the people behind me, they are working on those things.

“This is not yet the weekend to have those meetings with them, it’s going to be more in the future, but hopefully not too late.”

Bottas keen for abilities reminder

Bottas has already voiced his desire to slot into one of the Audi seats but has also not ruled out the possibility of returning to Mercedes amid Lewis Hamilton’s exit for Ferrari.

The driver market is set to be a busy area this year with more than half of the grid on expiring contracts.

Bottas, who has 68 podiums and 10 Grand Prix wins to his name, is keen to remind people of his achievements having spent the last two seasons competing lower in the pecking order.

“I’m motivated for a good, strong start to the year and the whole year, of course,” he said.

“But there's an extra motivation for me in case people have forgotten what I can do.”