Valtteri Bottas continues to push for a contract renewal with Sauber. Talks have been ongoing for months, though an agreement is still out of reach.
Because of these stagnant negotiations, Bottas is exploring other options – including a possible reserve role at Mercedes.
Bottas: Mercedes reserve role is a potential option
It is rare that an F1 driver can say points were out of reach for an entire season. However, in the case of Valtteri Bottas, it is uncontroversial to say that top-10 results are unrealistic in the C44.
After showing reasonable pace in the early rounds (Bahrain, Australia, China), Sauber have gone backwards.
This is bad news for Bottas, who lacks the machinery to deliver noteworthy performances. Despite being an active F1 driver, the Finn can do little from the cockpit to influence his future.
Partly because of this, his F1 career hands in the balance.
Speaking to the media in Mexico, Bottas answered a question about potentially becoming a Mercedes reserve driver:
“Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver, that’s what I want, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia.
“But of course, I don’t have anything signed – we’re in October. I’ve got to look at all the alternatives.
“Including going back to the Mercedes family. That’s for sure one option and I would consider it.
“But there’s other options as well, as well as going back to my priority – which is to be a [full-time] race driver.”
There is a three week gap between this week’s Brazilian GP and the subsequent Las Vegas GP.
On paper, this is a logical time for Sauber to make a driver commitment.
Then again, Sauber have had several opportunities to finalise their 2025 line-up. It is unsurprising that Bottas, though still in contention, is preparing for a number of scenarios.
A reserve role at Mercedes, though far from ideal, could serve as a short-term solution before 2026 – when new options could open up to the Finn.
In any case, the 10-time winner’s F1 career hangs in the balance.
