Valtteri Bottas admits Sauber F1 contract agreement in ‘clear’ message to Audi

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Valtteri Bottas has stated that he has an agreement to discuss his contract for Sauber in early 2024 as the Formula 1 driver sends Audi a ‘clear’ message regarding his plans.

The 34-year-old, like many of his rivals, is currently due to become a free agent at the end of next season. Of the 20 drivers set to contest the 2024 Formula 1 season, just five have deals beyond the year. Sauber pair Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are among the 15 with expiring deals.

Sauber, while racing as Alfa Romeo for sponsorship reasons, agreed to award Bottas a multi-year contract to join the team for the 2022 season. It was also the first time in years that the Finn was tied down for more than just 12 months after five single-year deals with Mercedes.

Valtteri Bottas opens up on his contract with Sauber and goals for Audi

Bottas now expects to speak with Sauber regarding his long-term future in the early phases of 2024. He is yet to hold any official talks with the Hinwil, Switzerland-based outfit about a new deal. But they have agreed to schedule meetings for over the first quarter of next year.

With many of his rival drivers in the same situation, he also accepts the Formula 1 market is in an ‘interesting’ state. Yet Bottas hopes to secure another multi-year contract with Sauber to remain driving for the team when Audi takes over as a factory effort for the 2026 season.

“So, I’m signed until [the] end of next year and there hasn’t been talks yet,” Bottas has told the Express. “We have agreed to talk next year. I would say in the first quarter of next year to finalise things and make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Bottas added: “But it’s interesting times in F1, obviously. I think there’s actually many drivers without contracts [after next season]. So, it’s going to be quite interesting, actually, to follow how things are going to fall into place.

“For me, the goal is clear. I would definitely want to be a part of the Audi project. So, that’s my goal and we’ll find out next year what happens.”

Audi already have eyes on Nico Hulkenberg joining from F1 rivals Haas

Audi finalised the purchase of a stake in Sauber in January 2023 and they will be a factory F1 team in 2026. Recent reports by RacingNews365 have also suggested that Nico Hulkenberg is already emerging as a top target for Audi, who want the Haas pilot to join Sauber in 2025.

Like with Bottas and Zhou at Sauber, the Haas drivers Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are currently out of contract in Formula 1 after the 2024 season. So, Bottas may face a fight for his desired future with Audi despite scoring 10 of Sauber’s 16 points as Alfa Romeo in 2023.

Bottas ended this season 15th in the drivers’ championship as Alfa Romeo ranked ninth. The Sauber-ran outfit finished the season four points better off than last-placed Haas. Bottas scored his points with P8 finishes in Bahrain and Qatar plus P10 results in Canada and Italy.