Bottas reveals surprising offer for iconic motorsport event

Valtteri Bottas has revealed he has received an offer to take part in the 2025 Indianapolis 500, but needs to fix his “day job” before committing.

Finn Bottas is without a race seat for 2025, and is in talks about a return to Mercedes as reserve to George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with incumbent Mick Schumacher set to depart.

Bottas is discussing whether this role would require him to be on-site for all 24 grands prix, which would limit his options to sample other machinery, such as IndyCar’s flagship event. 

The 10-time grand prix winner is not committing to a full IndyCar campaign as he feels he needs a break after 12 full seasons in F1, but feels ready to tackle the Brickyard in May 2025, where practice, qualifying and the race takes place across the entire month, and would rule Bottas out of the Miami, Emilia Romagna, and Monaco Grands Prix.

“I did get a solid offer for 2025, but for the Indy 500 only,” Bottas told media including RacingNews365. 

“We haven’t really gone into details, but first, I need to fix what the actual day job is for 2025.

“I don’t mind ovals, I’ve never tried, but I don’t mind them. 

“It depends on if I’m going to be at every grand prix or not, and obviously then the options are less limited, but the Indy 500 has always been on the list. 

“I’m a fan of V8 supercars and this kind of thing, so I am pretty open, but first I actually need to decide what is the next move and then we can see.

“It is a conscious decision, as it is coming a bit too quick, jumping into a full IndyCar season after 12 years in F1, I just feel like it comes a bit too quick.

“It is a lot of hard-work, and familiarisation to be done and so it takes a bit of time to figure out what is next.”

Bottas to Cadillac?

Bottas was also asked about the possibility of driving for Cadillac in 2026 after it was accepted, and conceded that if a deal could not be agreed, there were “other cool series” he would race in.

“It has increased the chances of getting a seat for 2026, which is ultimately the goal, but if not, then there are lots of other cool series,” he said.

“It is interesting for me, but I am not the only one, it is a great brand, so it is an interesting project.”