Valtteri Bottas has now ‘given up’ on key Sauber contract demand ahead of re-signing for 2025

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Sauber have been deliberating over their 2025 driver line-up for a long time amid one of the worst campaigns in the team’s history.

Nico Hulkenberg was signed from Haas much earlier in the season when Sauber’s problems weren’t completely evident.

The Swiss team was still among the weakest teams at that point in the year but have failed to take the same steps forward compared to their rivals.

Other pieces of the Formula 1 driver’s puzzle have been falling into place since Hulkenberg’s signing.

The likes of Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon who were on Sauber’s radar have committed their futures elsewhere, leaving Sauber with very few options to choose from.

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A change at the top of Audi’s Formula 1 structure means the job of choosing a second driver has fallen to Mattia Binotto.

Binotto has held conversations with McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto regarding the vacant seat, while new Williams man Franco Colapinto has also impressed.

However, Bottas is expected to be announced by Sauber sooner rather than later and journalist Julianne Cerasoli, speaking on her YouTube channel, explained more details about the Finn’s situation.

Valtteri Bottas is the most experienced option available to Sauber but that hasn’t helped him in his quest to score a championship point this year.

He’s no longer in a particularly strong bargaining position either, meaning he’s had to give up one of his key demands in order to stay on the grid in 2025.

Valtteri Bottas has ‘given up’ on signing multi-year contract with Sauber for 2025

Talking about the driver predicament at Sauber, Cerasoli said: “With the information that we have, the Bottas contract is not signed, but it is written and is in the phase of going back to the lawyers.

“These Formula 1 contracts are quite complex, so, that’s one thing if something goes back now.

“There was also the thing where Bottas didn’t want to sign for just one year.

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

“He has now given up putting his foot down about it and from Sauber’s perspective, having Bottas for a year instead of Gabriel Bortoleto, it was really between the two, Franco Colapinto wasn’t talking to Sauber.

“In their optics, it makes more sense that. This will make more sense to McLaren, as they would not release him from the contract and what Bortoleto’s own management imagine is the best thing for him is to stay in the McLaren academy, perhaps become a McLaren reserve driver next year.”

Sauber could announce another driver alongside Valtteri Bottas

If Bottas only signs a one-year deal with Sauber, it suggests that Audi want another driver to partner Hulkenberg during their maiden campaign in 2026.

That man could be Bortoleto, as Sauber want to announce Bottas alongside the Brazilian when they confirm his new deal, likely on loan from McLaren.

Bortoleto has proven that he’s one of the most talented young drivers around over the past two years.

After two decent campaigns in FRECA, Bortoleto went on to win the Formula 3 championship in his maiden year and is currently leading the driver’s standings in Formula 2.

The likes of Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri have all achieved that feat, and it’s typically a sign of a world-class driver in the making.

Bortoleto may have to follow Piastri’s route into F1 by waiting on the sidelines for a year before earning his seat on the grid.