James Vowles shares why Valtteri Bottas is ‘definitely in contention’ for 2025 Williams seat

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Williams Racing team principal James Vowles has a critical decision to make ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

He’s already convinced Alex Albon to sign a new long-term deal that will see the Thai driver racing for Williams when the new regulations are introduced in 2026.

That’s a real boost for a constructor who have only scored two points after the first 11 race weekends this season.

However, Logan Sargeant looks set to be let go at the end of the year – if not sooner – meaning Williams need to find a second driver.

For months they’ve been chasing Carlos Sainz and appeared very close to announcing the Spaniard as their second driver.

However, a late improved bid from Alpine has put the cat amongst the pigeons in one of the most volatile driver markets in Formula 1 history.

James Vowles was speaking on the Motormouth Podcast about next year’s line-up and was asked about Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas.

The Finnish driver is one of three drivers – alongside Sargeant and teammate Zhou Guanyu – who hasn’t scored a point this season.

However, Vowles doesn’t appear to be too concerned about that and has now directly addressed why the 10-time race winner is in his thoughts for next season.

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

James Vowles talks up Valtteri Bottas amid 2025 Williams seat speculation

Asked about the Finnish driver and whether he’s an option for next year, Vowles said: “Valtteri [Bottas], you don’t outqualify Lewis [Hamilton] unless you are bloody quick in the car, it’s as simple as that.

“He hasn’t dropped off the pace, he’s still the same as before and he’s in a team where they have the slowest car and yet at times they’re putting themselves ahead of two or three other teams, Valtteri certainly is with that car.

“I admire that about him and what I admire about him as well is that there’s no b——-. He just gets on, what he says is what he means as a result of things.

“I have the pleasure of working with him for many years, I know him inside and out as an individual.

“He’s definitely in consideration, it’s not something we talk openly about but he’s definitely in consideration for the seat.

“He’s not the only one consideration, but he’s definitely one of the ones that I think still has a place in Formula 1.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship

What does the future hold for Valtteri Bottas?

Valtteri Bottas is in an awkward position as he knows that he’s almost certainly coming to the end of his time with Sauber.

He had admitted earlier in the season that his ideal solution to his contract expiring at the end of the year was to sign a new deal that saw him become part of the Audi project.

However, Audi’s head of F1 Andreas Seidl appears to have several drivers ahead of him on his shortlist.

It leaves Bottas looking elsewhere on the grid and unsurprisingly given his pedigree he’s been linked with nearly every seat that’s still available.

Haas and Alpine both appear to be unlikely options but he’s ahead of Esteban Ocon in Williams’s estimation if they miss out on Sainz.

His previous relationship with Vowles and the team will help in any negotiations and the Williams team boss appears to be happy to ignore Sauber’s terrible current form when analysing whether the Finn would be the right man for the job next year.