Bottas bids farewell to Sauber, could reunite with Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas's time at Sauber is coming to an end. After three seasons with the Hinwil-based team, the Finn will depart at the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.

The 35-year-old F1 veteran, who joined Sauber from Mercedes in 2021, has been a pivotal figure during the Swiss outfit’s recent seasons.

But with Audi’s 2026 entry into the sport pushing Sauber’s transformation, the team has opted for a fresh lineup that will bring together in 2025 the experience of Nico Hulkenberg and the youth of highly-rated F2 charger Gabriel Bortoleto.

Reflecting on his time with Sauber, Bottas expressed gratitude and acknowledged the end of an era.

"A situation like this is never easy for anyone," he conceded. "But after all the good and in-depth discussions we had in the past weeks, we realised that the conditions to grow this project together were not met.

"These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I’m grateful for the joint experiences as well as the trust and support I’ve felt every step of the way.

"Though it’s time to move on, I’ll always carry a piece of this team with me, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us both."

• Read also: Bortoleto’s F1 journey begins: Sauber signs top prospect for 2025

Audi-Sauber F1 chief Mattia Binotto praised Bottas’s contributions, recognizing his dedication to the outfit despite Sauber’s challenging 2024 season, which sees them remain the only point-less team on the grid.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Valtteri for the past three years together,” commented the Italian. “He has been the embodiment of professionalism, using his vast experience to support the team’s growth.

"Valtteri’s dedication and approach have been invaluable during a pivotal time in our history, and the memories of these years will stay with us for a long time. In considering our driver line-up for the coming seasons, Valtteri was unquestionably a key candidate.

"With his fighting spirit, he frequently pushed the car beyond its performance limits. However, a decision had to be made.

“After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that final conditions could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways. Valtteri will always have an open door here in Hinwil.”

As Bottas concludes his full-time racing role with Sauber, his next steps could lead him back to familiar territory.

During the recent São Paulo Grand Prix weekend, the Finns confirmed he was considering a return to Mercedes as a reserve driver, referring to it as “for sure one option and I would consider it.”

If the deal goes through, as talks unfold between the two parties, Bottas would rejoin the “Mercedes family,” where he previously achieved ten wins and over 60 podiums.

While the path ahead remains uncertain for Bottas, a reserve role with Mercedes could allow him to continue contributing to Formula 1, lending his experience to the team that once made him a regular contender at the top of the grid.

For Sauber, the departure signals the beginning of an ambitious new chapter as they gear up for Audi’s 2026 debut.

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