Valtteri Bottas is among the most experienced and decorated drivers on the grid. So, with the Finn’s three-year deal expiring at the end of the season, what’s lies ahead?

Valtteri Bottas is among the most experienced and decorated drivers on the grid. So, with the Finn’s three-year deal expiring at the end of the season, what’s lies ahead?

  • notaviking@lemmy.world
    5·
    3 months ago

    Audi, why I think he is there at stake in the first place. They will be a new-ish team and needs a safe, level headed, consistent well rounded driver in the beginning, who might not be a Leclerc or Verstappen but has experience and can help develop a car to the front of the pack. Then they can get those gem of gems driver that can extract 110% and start winning championships

      • notaviking@lemmy.world
        3·
        3 months ago

        Audi already owns Stake, they can choose, I think it is going to be an easy 3 year contract with Audi, 2025 at Stake, 2026-2027 (maybe 2028) at Audi

  • Knuschberkeks@feddit.de
    51·
    3 months ago

    he’s one of the three drivers I expect to replace Hamilton at Mercedes. (The other two being Alonso and Vettel).

    • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      10·
      3 months ago

      Vettel? I don’t think he’s coming back.

      Lewis at Ferrari vs Vettel at Mercedes would be funny though.

      • summerof69@lemm.ee
        2·
        3 months ago

        Given that Alonso is allegedly blocked by Daimler and Vettel is done with F1, I believe what they wanted to say is at they don’t expect these drivers to replace Hamilton.

    • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
      41·
      3 months ago

      Alonso is teetering to retirement. Seb is retired. I agree that Merc would pickup Bottas, it just makes sense. But, I think they’re going to hold out for a while to see what comes up.

      • summerof69@lemm.ee
        4·
        3 months ago

        I agree that Merc would pickup Bottas, it just makes sense.

        What sense? He was a good #2 when Mercedes was dominating, but today they aren’t. Mercedes needs someone who can perform, and Bottas can’t even outperform Zhou, who isn’t in this sport on merit.

        • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
          31·
          3 months ago

          Bottas knows the team and can hit the ground running at Merc. That’s why it makes sense. Merc can still have Russell as their #1 with Bottas collecting points

          • summerof69@lemm.ee
            3·
            3 months ago

            They are not in a position to just collect some points because they aren’t dominant anymore. Each point counts. See the last year: Mercedes 409, Ferrari 406. 3 points decided who got the second place. Bottas is not up for the job judging by his performance at Sauber. I doubt he has any future in F1. As of the familiarity with the team, any professional driver (i.e. any driver) will quickly adapt. That’s not a decisive factor.

            • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
              11·
              3 months ago

              I’ve watched a lot of F1 in my time and I know you can’t keep a top team, especially one that builds its own engine, down for long. Good teams will always return to the front. I would expect no less from Merc. Points are most important. Having both drivers consistently in the points is what wins the WCC