P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Bottas targets early move on Audi F1 2026 drive
As part of its long-awaited return to grand prix racing in two years, Audi is in the process of taking over Sauber, Valtteri Bottas’s current employer. Until then, Sauber will operate under the Stake F1 Team name. Bottas, who joined Sauber from Mercedes for the 2022 season, has one more year left on his contract. Sauber extended his contract for 2024 by activating a one-year extension clause. According to Bottas, if he agrees to another deal with Sauber for 2025, he believes he will likely secure a seat at Audi for the following year. Bottas expressed his hunger for success in F1 and believes the Audi project could be his next opportunity, but formal talks with Audi are yet to take place. If negotiations with Audi do not work out, Bottas plans to explore other options in F1 but hopes to stay at Sauber for Audi’s full takeover.
