Dec.20 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas intends to make use of his new job at Mercedes as a launching pad to return to the System 1 grid.
The workforce has confirmed the widespread rumours by saying that the previous Mercedes race winner, who was not retained by Audi-owned Sauber for 2025, will function the full-time reserve driver subsequent season.
“Regardless of the challenges of the previous few years, I do know that I’ve nonetheless acquired a lot extra to contribute to F1,” the 35-year-old Finn, at present holidaying in Australia, mentioned within the official assertion.
One clear alternative for a race return in 2026 is with the brand new workforce entry Cadillac.
One other rumoured contender for a seat, Daniel Ricciardo, counted himself out of the hypothesis.
Throughout a fan interplay at a pop-up store for his personal trend model Enchante in New York just lately, Ricciardo answered “Nah I’m achieved” when requested about the potential of a return with Cadillac.
Bottas, although, is protecting all doorways open.
“I feel there will likely be alternatives,” he’s quoted as saying by Ilta Sanomat. “2026 is my objective. The plans of the groups are nonetheless open and there’s an eleventh workforce coming during which is admittedly thrilling.”
He says there have even been preliminary talks, as he already is aware of Cadillac’s workforce boss, former Marussia chief Graeme Lowdon. “I’ve identified Graeme for a very long time,” Bottas admitted.
“I might guess they want expertise as a result of they’ve lots of work to do. Cadillac can be one possibility for me,” he added.
“At this level in my profession, I nonetheless have lots to offer to the game. Constructing a workforce from scratch can be actually attention-grabbing. It’s motivating and rewarding if you happen to obtain your targets by working collectively.”
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