What’s next for Valtteri Bottas? Is retirement his best option?

With news of Nico Hulkenberg’s arrival at Sauber for 2ܫ025, where does that leave Valtteri Bottas?

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Race Day.-
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai…

The writing is on the wall for 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Valtteri Bottas following news 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Hulkenberg will become Audi’s first F1 driver in 2025.

It comes as no surprise𒁏 with rumours of Hꦦulkenberg joining the Swiss outfit a regular occurrence in recent motnsh.

Since returningꦯ to F1 with Haas in 2023, Hulkenberg has been one of the midfield’s star performers, particularly for his daz♍zling qualifying displays.

🌼While there is still one seat available at Sauber next year, CEO Andreas Seidl has Carlos Sainz top of his wishlist.

Seidl is prepared to wait for Sainz as the Spaniard is keen to see whether Red Bull retain 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Sergio Perez or Mercedes have anꦚ opening if they decide against Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

This leaves Bottas - a😼nd Zhou Guanyu out of a﷽ drive for 2025.

In Bottas’ case at least, it does seem unjustified given that the Finn’s performances so far🥃 in 2024 have been closꩲe to his best.

Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Sauber with team mate Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 3, Australian Grand
Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Sauber with team mate Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber. Formula 1 World…

Bottas is on a run of nine consecutive wins over Zhou in qualifying - only 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Alex Albon and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen are on better streaks against their teammate - and the former Merc🌼edes driver would have likely scored points on at least two occasions this year had it not been for poor rꩵeliability or slow pit stops.

The true level of Bottas’ performances🅘 have been masked by Sauber’s lack of pace over the last 13 months, while Zhou isn’t a competitive benchmark to compare him with.

Staying at Sauber seems to be completely off the table, with them eyeing up Alpine duo 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Pierre Gasly or 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Esteban Ocon if Sainz decides a move to Switzerland isn’tꦚ for him.

So where could Bottas end up?

Haas

Haas’⛎ look certain to be signing Oliver Bearman for 2025.

Bearman starred in his one-off appearance for Saudi Arabia, combined with Haas’ Ferrari liꦯnks.

Alongside Bearman, Haas will be keen to have an e꧒xperienced dri🧔ver alongside him to lead the team - but also nurture him.

Haas could retain 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Kevin Magnussen, who has🍬 been racing for them since 2017 (2021 aside).

If fanᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚcy a change - and an upgrade on Magnussen - then Bottas would be 🐈a good choice.

🌌Bottas is a great team player and helped Zhou a lot during his rookie year back in 2022.

Bottas has the edge on Magnussen in terms of pace while lacking the Dane’🧔s c🐬ombative nature.

Williams

A return to back where his F1 career ꦺstarted could be a possibility🦄 for Bottas.

The Finn enjoyed four great seasons at ไWilliams before moving to Mercedes in 2017.

Bottas helped Williams to two consecutive th𒉰i🦹rd-place finishes in the constructors’ championship, scoring nine podiums with him.

It would be a poetic end to his F1 ca💛reer, 𒊎but more importantly, would give Williams an incredibly strong line-up in the midfield.

Bottas pictured for Williams in 2016
Bottas pictured for Williams in 2016

Bottas alongside Albon would be an incredibly potent pairing, especially wജith the midfield being so close.

His chances of returning t🎉o Williams will ult👍imately come down to whether Andrea Kimi Antonelli is handed the Mercedes drive or not.

Should Mercedes feel that Antonelli is not ready, he will probably be placed in Williams like 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell was for a few years.

Alpine

A leftfield option for Bottas could be Alpine.

🐬Ocon and Gasly are re🌳portedly unhappy with the situation at Alpine and are assessing options elsewhere.

The duo are also on Audi’s wishlist for 2🎉025, meaning a vacancy could open.

While Alpine’s on-track performance is belꦛow-p🌊ar, they are still a works outfit.

Ultimately Bottas to Alpine comes down to whether Gasly or Ocon decide to jump sh♈ip.

Retirement

Bottas has achieved more than mo🥀st in his 🌸F1 career.

🅰10 victories, 20 pole positions and 67 podiums is an impressive set of statistics - what else is there left to achieve?

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 W12 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 W12 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1

A return to a top team is incredibly unlikely and by 🐽joining Williams or Haas, Bottas would be set for a few more years in the midfield.

Given that he’s only 34, and remains blisteringly quick, a move to anothe❀r motorsport category or simply focused on his passions outside of F1 - coffee and cycling -ജ could be the best move for him.

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