Bottas assesses chances of racing for Red Bull or Alpine as he weighs up future options

Valtteri Bottas, currently a Mercedes reserve driver, has shared insights into his future F1 aspirations and his past negotiations with potential teams. Having left Kick Sauber in November 2024, a decision he admitted came "too late" to secure a 2025 race seat, Bottas found himself in a challenging position. He candidly revealed on F1's 'Beyond The Grid' podcast that the timing of his departure announcement, after the Brazilian Grand Prix, severely hampered his ability to find a new drive, leading to his current reserve role. The 35-year-old Finn, eager to return to racing, discussed the possibility of joining Red Bull. Despite acknowledging Max Verstappen's dominance and the difficulty new drivers face alongside him, Bottas indicated his availability for next year. However, he disclosed that discussions with Red Bull were quickly dismissed due to a specific individual within the organization who is "not a big fan of mine." Alpine also emerged as a potential option, with Bottas confirming that his management team had engaged in preliminary discussions. He highlighted Alpine's upcoming Mercedes power unit deal as a positive aspect and suggested that his experience could benefit the struggling team. However, Bottas also acknowledged the significant role of politics and funding in securing a seat, stating, "I don't have tens of millions to pay for a seat." He further explained that earlier talks with Alpine for 2025 didn't progress seriously as he had anticipated staying with Kick Sauber for their transition to Audi, a move that ultimately didn't materialize. Bottas remains hopeful that a racing opportunity will arise, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of F1.