Valtteri Bottas gives update on Mercedes talks as reserve door opens
Valtteri Bottas provides update on expected return to Mercedes﷽ for F1 2025.
168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Valtteri Bottas says there is “still a bit of work to do” before he can return to Mercedes in a reserve capacity for the 2025 F1 season.
The 35-year-old Finn has been left without a full-time drive next season af꧟ter losing his Sauber seat to Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto.
Bottas has been heavily linked with a return to Mercedes and is the favourite to replace current reserve Mick Schumacher, whose departure at the end of the year was 🐎confirmed on Thursday ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently said it is "a matter of time” before Bottas completes a reunion with the team he drove for five years between 2017 and𒊎 2021.
Asked by whether returning to Mercedes is his priority, Bottas replied: “I don't really want to say൩ it's a priority.
“I think it’s a really solid option, and I really appreciate what T🌳oto said last weekend. There's, a still bit of🌳 work to do to finalise some things.
“It’s been a while that I'm now in the situation ♊that I can decide, yes or no on some few different things now.
“🌞So, just want to wait at least few more days, or one or two weeks, probably get over with the season, then sit down, and we’ll see.”
The 10-🌱time grand prix wi🐷nner wants to stay involved in F1 to boost his chances of returning on a full-time basis in 2026.
With General Motors set to enter as F1’s 11th team from 2026, two extra seats would open up on the gr🎀id.
“The priority for me still Formula 1, I feel like I'm not done 🐼yet with this sport,” Bottas said.
“So, I thin🥀k to be around, to be able to hopefully do some testing, etc., I think it gives me a chance for 2026, because in this spor🤪t, you just never know what happens.
“There is also a new team j🃏oining, which means to two more seats. So, it obviously increases the opportunities for 2026.”
Asked if General Moto🤪rs’ anticipated arrival would help his bid, Bottas replied: “I think that's just increased the chances of getting a seat for 2026, which ultimately is the goal.
“But, lജike I said, if not, then there's lots of other cool things in other series.”
Bottas꧃ will take part in the Race of Champions next yearꩵ and is open to more one-off races, though he insists he will not be racing full-time anywhere in 2025.
The Indy 500 and one-off appearances in V8 Supercars are among the events B🌼ottas revealed he would consider.
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