F1 team have ignored feedback of 67-podium driver despite woeful 2024 form

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It has been a torrid season for Sauber so far as they face the prospect of finishing a Formula 1 season with no points for the first time since 2014.

Sauber’s results at the start of the year were marred with problems in their pit stops due to a faulty wheel nut design, which affected them for the first five races of the season.

Fixing the issue has not led to an improvement in form, despite the team bringing regular upgrades to its car throughout the season.

Valtteri Bottas finished a lap down in 16th place at the recent Singapore Grand Prix, but still complained about balance issues throughout the weekend.

According to journalist Edd Straw on The Race podcast, the team is not utilising his feedback as effectively as it could do to achieve better results.

Valtteri Bottas’ feedback not listened to amid Sauber’s struggles

Sauber has yet to demonstrate that it has a car capable of achieving points finishes this season, having come off the back of a mix of high and low-speed circuits yet to finish in the top 10.

Straw believes that while the team has kept a regular upgrade cycle with their car, they have failed to listen to Bottas on key problems throughout the season.

“Bottas has been there for three seasons and hasn’t made a difference. But the team hasn’t really listened to their drivers as much as it should do,” said Straw.

“You’ve got a vast amount of experince, he’s a great team player, still very quick and performing at a high level. They could fully utilise him for the first time since the early days when Frederic Vasseur left, then they have got great performer there.”

Valtteri Bottas likely to stay on at Sauber for 2025

While it looks likely that Zhou Guanyu will leave the team at the end of the season in place of Nico Hulkenberg, there is still some question marks over whether Bottas will continue with the team.

The Finn has 67 podiums to his name and is one of the more experienced drivers on the grid, which is something Sauber CEO Mattia Binotto said he was looking for when asked about their driver lineup beyond the 2025 season.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin

Bottas has reportedly ‘given up’ on signing a multi-year contract and instead focusing on securing a deal for next year, amid interest from McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto.

A deal has yet to be announced but it will likely go ahead after Sauber looks set to opt for continuity rather than a rookie.