As his time in Formula 1 definitively comes to an end, Valtteri Bottas is considering taking a sabbatical. So, a year off from racing instead of moving to a new class? “Another series is only an option in 2026,” he says.
For a long time, the Finnish veteran seemed to be in the running for the second seat at Sauber, now Audi, for the coming years, or at least 2025. “But it was not to be,” he says in Las Vegas. The team recently announced that Brazilian Formula 2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto will be the second driver alongside the previously confirmed Nico Hülkenberg.
“I knew there were other candidates,” says Bottas. “You hear the rumors. It’s not nice that my career in Formula 1 is ending this way. You want to choose how that happens. But life goes on.”
Reserve Driver for Mercedes
However, the F1 exit does play a role in his future plans; the Finn is still mentioned as a reserve driver for his former employer, Mercedes. But what about competitive racing? “I need to really consider what I’m going to do.” So, a sabbatical seems to be an option for Bottas. “Another series is only an option in 2026 at the earliest.
