Bottas drops telling hint over F1 future as Audi decision looms

Valtteri Bottas has outlined the "pretty straightforward" choice facing Mattia Binotto over the identity of the second Audi F1 driver, as he dropped a telling clue about his future.

The sole open remaining seat on the grid, outside of Red Bull/RB, is the second Stake F1 drive for 2025 alongside Nico Hulkenberg, with Bottas vying to extend his grand prix career by landing the seat, with current team-mate Zhou Guanyu expected to fall off the grid. 

McLaren junior and F2 racer Gabriel Bortoleto has been touted in recent days as a potential rookie option for the team, with McLaren open to loaning the Brazilian out with new Sauber Motorsport chief technical and chief operating officer Binotto seemingly facing a choice of the experienced Bottas or rookie Bortoleto.

Bottas, who earlier in the year declared himself 99% likely to be in F1 next season signalled that talks with teams in other championships had concluded and it was all in on staying at Stake.

"It is pretty straightforward, I don't want to say more than that, but yeah, I think you've got an idea of the situation," Bottas told media including RacingNews365 when the younger-older driver dilemma facing Binotto was put to him.

"We've had lots of coffee, and are still talking, it is progressing and I am still positive, but I really shouldn't say too much. 

"There are obviously many things to discuss, both parties need to be happy, but I think we're heading in the right direction. 

"I know that my strength is the experience that I can bring to the team, it is the nature of the sport, but that is how it is.

"I feel like I am in a good situation at the moment, but just can't tell you much more at this point. 

"[I am not talking] anymore [with teams in other series], and for me, it is pretty clear what I want, and hopefully we'll get there soon.

Bottas and Binotto

Bottas is yet to trouble the points scorers thus far in 2024, but feels the relationship struck up with Binotto will be crucial in the decision as to who ultimately gets the seat.

"I've been in a difficult position thanks to the performance of the car, but thank god Mattia knows what he can get from me," he added.

"That is a good thing for me and hopefully I will be here next year, the car will be a bit better and I can show a bit more."