P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valtteri Bottas exclaimed he was “relieved” his three-year spell at Sauber was over after being brutally cut from the Audi Formula 1 project.
Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas signed a three-year deal with the Swiss-based Alfa Romeo team in 2022 under Frederic Vasseur’s leadership. Unfortunately, Bottas faced a drastic decline in performance in 2024, scoring zero points compared to his 49 points in 2022 due to team struggles and changes. With Sauber opting to sign Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season, Bottas found himself without a seat on the grid. Despite a painful end to his time with Sauber, Bottas remains optimistic about his future in F1, hoping for a comeback opportunity possibly as a Reserve Driver for Mercedes next season and with the potential arrival of Cadillac in 2026. Bottas acknowledges the challenges he encountered during his time at Sauber but remains determined to stay involved in the sport and seize any opportunities that come his way.
