Bottas keen for Audi F1 drive amid 'unfinished' business

Valtteri Bottas has voiced his interest in being offered one of the race seats at the Audi Formula 1 squad.

Audi is set to enter F1 for the 2026 campaign when new technical regulations come into play, changing both the chassis and power unit side of the cars.

The German manufacturer will take a majority share in the Sauber Group which will operate this year and next as the Stake F1 Team.

Bottas will compete in the upcoming campaign with the Stake outfit, his third season with the Hinwil-based squad after joining it in 2022 when it operated under the Alfa Romeo moniker.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Bottas asserted that he is keen to be involved in Audi's F1 project.

“F1 is the number one thing for me,” he said.

“I'm still hungry to get back on the podium eventually. The Audi project could be the next opportunity.

“From my understanding, they're going to make decisions of the years ahead early [this] year. So not yet. I'm going to have those discussions in the first quarter of [this] year.”

Unfinished business

Bottas joined his current team following several years at Mercedes where he partnered Lewis Hamilton.

Since joining the team that formerly operated as Alfa Romeo, Bottas has enjoyed little success as it has been located towards the back of the field.

RacingNews365 understands that Nico Hulkenberg is a primary candidate for Audi's F1 project which will commence in two years.

As Bottas aims to continue his F1 adventure, the Finn has declared his desire to complete “unfinished” business.

“Being part of Audi would be my number one priority and preference,” he said. “But if for some reason not, then absolutely I would talk to [other teams].

“I want to be around because I feel like I still have some unfinished things in this sport.”