Valtteri Bottas has not been selected by Mattia Binotto to stay at Sauber next year. It was rather Gabriel Bortoleto, the Brazilian F2 champion, who was preferred. The Finn suddenly found refuge with Mercedes F1, his former team, as a reserve driver. Looking forward to a possible opportunity in 2026 like Cadillac F1.
In 2026, his former team, Sauber, will officially be called Audi for the big official arrival, under its name, of the German manufacturer. But given the very poor performance of the Sauber team in 2024, don't next year and even 2026 risk looking like a cross?
“It’s going to be a big challenge, of course, and they know it,” confirms Valtteri Bottas regarding the future competitiveness of Sauber.
The Audi power unit will also have to be competitive in 2026: it is far from won as the competition is fierce. Let’s remember the beginnings of Honda for its return with McLaren F1…
“Audi knows it” confirms Valtteri Bottas. “I think they focused on the power unit part for a long time, invested a lot, so they can do a good job, that's for sure. »
“But all the other teams and engine manufacturers, they've been in the sport for a long, long time. »
“But Audi has the resources, the potential. »
“My biggest concern is the chassis, it's not made by Audi, it's still made by Sauber. So the chassis side definitely needs improvement. »
It is therefore a small tackle that Bottas addresses to Hinwil!
Fortunately Hinwil will be able to benefit from the new rules of capped budgets, which will take into account the difference in salaries in Switzerland: a real breath of fresh air for the team.
“I hope they find a solution,” he declared.
“And I think the latest changes to the budget cap rules for different countries, that’s going to help Sauber a little bit. »
“But, yes, if they get a positive dynamic, then people will be more inclined to join the team. But so far, it’s been a rocky start for the brand. »
Another element of concern: the waltz of the thinking heads.
Oliver Hoffmann and Andreas Seidl were dismissed as project leaders this year, while Mattia Binotto (as technical director of the project, he will mainly stay in Hinwil) and Jonathan Wheatley (as team director, he will mainly go to the Grands Price to oversee the operational side) were recruited.
Bottas acknowledges that these changes at Sauber had been «a chaos,» but the situation is starting to stabilize…
“Well, a lot of people have changed,” said the Finn. “A lot of people were let go, a lot of people joined the team in different roles, so there was a lot of turnover, and to find that stability, the way the team was structured, it took time. »
“Now it's finally starting to come together, but initially it was quite chaotic, with departures and arrivals. »
