Valtteri Bottas' future is still uncertain: the former Mercedes driver, now in Stake Sauber, is in his eleventh year in Formula 1 and is approaching the final phase of his career. However, according to recent reports, Stake would be willing to continue on the same path for another year, extending Bottas' contract until 2025.
Valtteri Bottas close to renewing with Stake Sauber
With only 6 races left until the end of the season, the time has come for the few teams that have not yet done so to make a decision on the 2025 line-up. In particular, there are 2 teams that still have to choose the second driver of their line-up: Visa Cash App RB and Stake Sauber. The former should announce it before the Austin GP, with Daniel Ricciardo that at the end of Singapore GP he said he was skeptical about the possibility of staying not only in 2025, but even until the end of the season. In his place is arriving Liam Lawson, a driver strongly wanted by Red Bull as he was trained by its Academy.
And who will go to Sauber? Here too the options include youngsters, with Franco Colapinto, already on “trial” with Williams until the end of the season and Gabriel Bortoleto in the running for a starting spot. But their chance may not come next season. According to the latest rumors coming from RacingNews365 in fact Stake Sauber is about to confirm Valtteri Bottas for another season, leaving out not only the two young drivers but also Guanyu Zhou.
Stake's difficult moment and uncertainty about the future
Stake Sauber is not going through an easy period at the moment. The team is heading towards a significant transition with the arrival of Audi in 2026; also has failed to collect any points so far this season. Accomplice an uncompetitive car and the lack of results from both Bottas and his teammate, Zhou Guanyu. The financial and organizational situation of the team is equally unstable, complicated by numerous managerial changes, including the exit of Andreas Seidl and the entry of Mattia Binotto to lead operations.
With these constant upheavals, the future seems uncertain for many members of the team, and the road to 2026 is full of doubts. In such a context, confirming Valtteri Bottas for another season could represent a strategic choice. The Finnish driver, with his experience and his deep knowledge of the single-seater, offers an element of stability in an environment that is in full reorganization. Stake has already shown that it wants to renew part of its line-up with the hiring of Nico Hulkenberg for the future, but focusing on Bottas could guarantee the team a valuable point of reference in the short term, awaiting a technical and competitive turning point that could come with the Audi era.
