‘They don’t really like me’

Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas may not have a Formula 1 drive for 2025, but he’s not counting on under-pressure Sergio Perez’s hardship to provide him an unexpected opportunity.

Red Bull’s 53-point deficit to McLaren with two grands prix left in 2024 means Perez’s underperformance will likely cost his team the constructors’ title, as the veteran scored just 49 points in the latest 16 rounds – compared to Max Verstappen’s unmatched tally of 267.

Perez’s fate will be decided at the end of the season by Red Bull shareholders, as they ponder potential options – but RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are yet to stake their claim with commanding enough drives, while the team’s interest in Franco Colapinto has somewhat dampened following the Argentine’s three heavy crashes over the latest two grands prix.

Meanwhile, after Sauber signed Nico Hulkenberg and F2 leader Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025, Bottas is likely to end up on the sidelines. Despite being generally considered a safe pair of hands and having comprehensively outperformed team-mate Zhou Guanyu this year, the Finn isn’t expecting to be given a chance by Red Bull.

“I feel there’s some people like Red Bull who don’t really like me, so it’s a reason [not to wait for them],” Bottas said. “So I don’t know. I don’t think it’s an option, but that’s my feeling.”

The 10-time grand prix winner drove for Mercedes during the high-tension title fight with Red Bull in 2021, which was the last of his five seasons with the squad where he helped to win the constructors’ championship every year.

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, during the drivers parade

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

It is no secret that Bottas is now set for a return to the Brackley-based team – this time as a reserve driver.

“We’ve been talking for quite a long time,” Bottas said after Saturday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix regarding his conversations with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. “I’m sure we will catch up again either tomorrow or Monday.

“Of course I want to see all the options but, if I look at it, there’s many positive things about it. Being back in the Mercedes family – it’s a great team, it’s a great brand. You can create lots of opportunities for the future.

“So it’s a really solid option for me, and actually I’m really thankful that they kind of are willing to take me in the role.”

The 35-year-old is not ready to call time on his racing career yet and, if he were to stay on the sidelines next year, may consider new opportunities in 2026.

Asked if he might be interested in the Cadillac project – which has since been green-lighted in principle by F1 – Bottas succinctly replied: “Yes, I might.”