Bottas seeking 'quite early' talks with Alfa Romeo over F1 future

Valtteri Bottas says he wants to sit down "quite early" this season with his Alfa Romeo-Sauber team to discuss his F1 future and hopefully to prolong his stability with the Swiss outfit.

After a five-year stint with Mercedes during which his contract with the team was renewed on an annual basis, Bottas signed a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo for 2022 and beyond.

The stability provided by his contract with Alfa brought the Finn peace of mind, and he is now keen on ensuring that his career remains stable moving forward.

"I’ve been in that situation so many times where it’s become a distraction," Bottas told Motorsport.com.

"So yeah, for sure, it’s going to be a talking point hopefully quite early [in the year] on what’s going to happen.

"It is important to me to have that stability after 10 years of not so much stability."

With Audi set to acquire a majority stake in Sauber and with the Alfa Romeo brand leaving F1 at the end of 2023, changes will take hold at Hinwil.

But Bottas has already expressed his interest in getting involved in Audi's F1 project, and thus remaining with the Swiss outfit in 2024. But for now, the 33-year-old is focused on his team's upcoming and final season under the Alfa banner.

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"It is a great opportunity for the team, it brings stability and something new," he said.

"But I think since then, people are talking less about it. We’re now just cracking on and obviously [in 2023], still nothing changes.

"We’re still Alfa Romeo. I think probably next year, things are going to start changing. But for now, it’s pretty stable and everyone is just focused on their job."

Last year, Alfa Romeo-Sauber enjoyed its best campaign in F1 since 2012, with the team finishing P6 in F1's Constructors' championship.

But perhaps more importantly, Bottas embraced his new life with Alfa, shedding the inevitable weight and pressure he had endured at Mercedes, and savouring his contribution to the team's positive track record.

"It’s rewarding and uplifting seeing the joy people have when you’re actually even scoring a few points regularly," he explained.

"It’s not something that the team is used to. It’s definitely been nice to be part of it. Already I’m looking forward to the new car, and how it’s going to be and all that. It’s interesting."

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