Bottas unaware of potential Sauber takeover during contract talks

Valtteri Bottas says he was not informed of Sauber's talks with Andretti or of a potential change of ownership of the Swiss outfit during his contract negotiations.

Bottas will depart Mercedes at the end of the 2021 season to join Alfa Romeo Racing, the team run by Sauber, but the Finn might well move to a team that could soon be under new ownership.

Sauber is reportedly holding talks with Andretti Autosport, with Michael Andretti's motorsport group seeking an entry into F1 and allegedly interested in acquiring a controlling stake in the Swiss team.

Both parties are scheduled to meet this week in Austin to further discuss a takeover or a tie-up.

• Read also: Andretti takeover talks with Sauber set to ramp up in Austin

But Bottas admitted in Austin on Thursday that he had no knowledge of a potential takeover of Sauber prior to signing his two-year contract with the F1 outfit.

"I wasn’t aware during the negotiations about it," said the Finn. "To be honest I don’t know much details, if there’s actually a big chance for that happening or not.

"I’m sure the people who will make the decision, they will know what is going to be best for the team in the long-term.

"I don’t have much say on who owns the team and with how many percentage, that’s how it goes, that’s the business side of Formula 1.

"But as long as the team still has the right people, key people in there, than I believe can do a great job, that’s the main thing for me."

The departing Mercedes driver had no reservations about Andretti's involvement or ownership of Alfa Romeo Racing.

"Why not?" he said. "Obviously as a driver for the team in the future it would be, before that, nice to know a bit more about the plans for the future. But yeah, why not?"

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