'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With Kicks Sauber's contract ending at the end of 2024, Valtteri Bottas is looking at options for the 2025 season. However, rumors suggest that the Finnish driver might make a shift to IndyCar next year.
After five seasons with Mercedes-AMG, Bottas left the German outfit to replace his compatriot and Formula 1 icon Kimi Raikkonen at Kicks Sauber (formerly Alfa Romeo) in 2022.
The #77 driver was joined by Chinese rookie Zhou Guanyu for the season. Bottas secured 10th place in the driver's championship. Since then, the 34-year-old has struggled for top results, finishing 15th in 2023 and is last in the 2024 championship.
With his contract ending this season, Valtteri Bottas is on the lookout for options for the 2025 season. Although the Finn's preference is to stay in Formula 1, Auto Hebdo suggests that several IndyCar teams have shown interest in signing Bottas next year.
Take a look at the X post by an IndyCar fanpage, captioned:
"⚠️ Several INDYCAR teams have expressed interest in signing VALTTERI BOTTAS for the 2025 season It is believed that Bottas’ preference is to stay in Formula 1 for 2025"
For reference, during the Ringer F1 podcast in 2022, Bottas admitted to looking at IndyCar as an option after Formula 1.
“Maybe I’ll be racing in the US. IndyCar is quite interesting. The tracks are nice and the racing seems really real. It’s been gaining popularity, at least in Europe, so let’s see.” Bottas had said during the podcast.
A brief look at Valtteri Bottas' 2024 Formula 1 season with Kicks Sauber
After a dismal 2023 season, Valtteri Bottas aimed to make the 2024 F1 season count. However, the Finn has had to face disappointment from the season-opening race in Bahrain.
Despite starting in 16th position, Bottas finished 19th at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. That was likely due to the lack of pace of the Kick Sauber's C44 race car. The results improved slightly in Saudi Arabia with a 17th-position finish.
Bottas showed improvements in Australia and Japan, ending both races in 14th place. However, a mechanical failure saw the #77 driver race ending his race in lap 19 in China.
Apart from 13th-place finishes at Monaco and Canada, Bottas hasn't finished in the top-15 at Miami, Emilia Romagna, Spain, Austria and Britain. The 34-year-old is without a point.
He's 21st in the driver's championship, behind his teammate Zhou Guanyu and Williams F1 driver Logan Sargeant, with all three yet to open their accounts.
