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Valtteri Bottas believed that Audi F1’s roadmap involves increasing their manpower to compete more effectively with front-runners. Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda in Singapore, the Sauber driver expressed confidence in team boss Mattia Binotto’s plan to build the team and steer it in the right direction ahead of the rebranding to Audi F1 in 2025.
Sauber, soon to become Audi F1, has been aggressively recruiting experienced technical personnel as part of their long-term strategy for the 2025 season and beyond. With former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto now serving as CEO and Chief Technical Officer, and Red Bull Racing’s Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley poised to take on the role of team principal, Bottas believes that Binotto’s extensive experience with Ferrari will be instrumental in creating a strong foundation for the Audi project.
Bottas emphasized that if he were in the shoes of the Audi bosses, he would focus on hiring the right personnel, stressing that quality recruitment is essential for mapping out the future success of the team. He also said the new 2026 regulations present a crucial window of opportunity for teams like Audi to shine, as the rules reset could level the playing field and offer teams a chance to gamble and break through into the upper echelons of Formula 1.
Asked by Sportskeeda what roadmap he would have for the Audi F1 team if he were the team boss, Valtteri Bottas said:
“Yeah, I mean we obviously Mattia, my new boss, he knows all about what the top team needs. He's been at Ferrari for a long time. So he knows what the team needs and I think number one is more people. We don't have enough people compared to the big teams and people with good quality you know good skill that's what we need and it's not easy you know to get from other teams. But I think he's working on trying to build bigger and stronger team overall. I think that's number one and but that will take time. So road map I would say ’26 is not gonna be easy, it's a tough sport. But at the same time it is an opportunity because it's a regulation change and you can't really predict how it goes. So I think successful 26 is already possible. But like I said, it's not easy, and for that we still need more human power.”
Valtteri Bottas is confident about getting a contract with Audi for 2025
Valtteri Bottas believed that his discussions with Audi regarding a contract for 2025 and beyond are progressing positively. The Finnish driver mentioned his desire for a multiyear deal with clear targets, which would make his role in the team more defined and focused as Audi F1 prepares for its debut. Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Bottas was confident that his bosses were aware of his capabilities, having delivered 10 Grand Prix victories during his career.
Recent reports named Mick Schumacher and Franco Colapinto as potential candidates for the 2025 seat alongside Nico Hülkenberg at Audi. However, Bottas remained optimistic, citing that his team boss, Mattia Binotto, knows what he can bring to the table. This gives him confidence as he continues discussions with the team about securing his future. He suggested that these conversations are ongoing, and he expects to have more clarity regarding his position in the team in the coming days.
Asked by Sportskeeda for an update about his future negotiations with Audi for 2025 and beyond, Valtteri Bottas said:
“Working on it, we have had many discussions about it and we will continue next week. For me the aim is not to just stay in F1 for one year, the goal is for multi -year and that's what I’m pushing for, what I want to, and to commit to a project. So you have clear targets pushing for, and then work for those together.”
Asked if it was a shame that uncertainty clouded his future despite past successes, he replied:
“Its tough, its not easy but its hard work. People have short memories. But for me its that the right people know what I can contribute, what I can give to the team and I think Mattia knows that and thats what I truly hope and believe. In the end that’s what matters that the right people know.”
Valtteri Bottas, a ten-time Grand Prix winner with 67 podium finishes since his F1 debut with Williams in 2013, continues to deliver strong performances despite Sauber’s underwhelming 2024 season. While discussions about his future with the team are ongoing, with younger contenders in the mix, the Finnish remains the frontrunner for the 2025 seat.
His consistent results, including outperforming his teammate Guanyu Zhou in 17 out of 18 qualifying sessions and 11 out of 18 races, solidify his position as the top candidate for the team’s next chapter under the Audi banner.
