Bottas has set goal: 'To be part of a factory team'

For years, Valtteri Bottas battled for podiums and wins, but since last year, everything has changed. He had to leave Mercedes and found shelter at Alfa Romeo. At his new employer, Bottas drives his laps at the back of the field. The Finn calls it "tough", but he is confident that things can still turn around in his career in the premier class of motorsport. Driving for a factory team again is the goal.

Season after season, Bottas was offered a one-season contract extension at Mercedes. Until the end of 2021. The German racetrack opted for George Russell and Bottas left for Alfa Romeo. There he was able to sign a three-year contract immediately, something that inspired confidence. Bottas is grateful to the Italian-Swiss racing stable for that.

"It's so nice!" said Bottas, who says the uncertainty of a one-year contract each time caused turmoil; both in and outside Formula 1. "It was a bit more difficult to switch off. But now there’s a bit of stability, it’s a bit easier to kind of separate things.” Bottas is fixed until the end of next year; he does not yet have an offer in his pocket for 2025.

Ricciardo as example

According to rumours, Bottas is unlikely to continue driving for Alfa Romeo, which will no longer be called Alfa Romeo from next year. The stable will go through life as Audi from 2026 and the German factory team would like to attract a real top driver who still has some years to go in Formula 1. Bottas would reportedly not fit that profile.

Despite not currently driving in the positions where he wants to drive, Bottas thinks it is possible to eventually compete for places of honour again. He cites Daniel Ricciardo as an example of how drivers' fortunes can change. “That’s the beauty of the sport. You never know what’s around the corner. You never know what happens in the driver market and which teams are competitive," he told The Athletic.

Bottas wants to return to factory team

“For me, being a part of a manufacturer now is the next goal. That will hopefully give me a chance to get back up there." So that could be at Audi, or at another factory team; Aston Martin (from 2026 with Honda as its own engine supplier), Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes or Alpine.