Bottas to 'speed up' F1 plans as Audi promise goes quiet

Valtteri Bottas has vowed to "speed things up" regarding his future plans in F1 after conceding that an apparent Audi promise has seemingly fallen flat.

Bottas has revealed that he was given an indication that he would be part of Audi's future when it enters the sport in 2026.

Nico Hulkenberg has already been signed by Stake for next season and will represent Audi on the grid the following year. The German manufacturer has also been heavily linked with Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon, who are out of Ferrari and Alpine respectively at the end of this season.

Bottas' name, however, has not been mentioned, which has resulted in him holding talks with Williams and Alpine. The Finn recognises the clock is ticking.

"I think I need to make my choice quickly," he told media, including RacingNews365, ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

"Nothing has been confirmed or signed yet from my side, so no big news since last week. I'm still working with all the options that there are and I need to make a move soon."

Bottas is confident he will not be left on the sidelines when F1's game of musical chairs has concluded, insisting he is "not worrying", and promising "an interesting week or two ahead".

One avenue that does appear closed, however, is the prospect of him remaining with Stake for 2025, and driving for Audi in 2026.

Despite his proven F1 record, it is clear he is not an automatic choice for Audi, who appear willing to bide their time over a second driver. Time, however, is not on Bottas' side.

"I feel like, at the moment, they [Audi] want quite a lot of change in the team," he said. "Probably the same thing with the driver line-up. That's how I read the situation, and they are willing to wait for a long time. But I can't wait forever.

"This team is definitely still an option. But I don't think I have the time to wait for too long. So that's why I want to speed things up.

"Personally, from what was communicated to me within the last 12 months or so, I was always going to be part of the project but things have been a bit more quiet lately, so that's why I need to try and read the situation and kind of do my thing."