Valtteri Bottas Elaborates on Red Bull Dislike with ‘Clear No’ Given by Team
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Valtteri Bottas discusses his unsuccessful attempts to join Red Bull for F1 2025, revealing that the team made it clear they have no interest in bringing him on board despite speculation regarding Sergio Perez's future.
Valtteri Bottas Elaborates on Red Bull Dislike with ‘Clear No’ Given by Team
Valtteri Bottas, a ten-time Formula 1 race winner, has spoken out about his unsuccessful efforts to join Red Bull for the 2025 season, revealing that the team made it very clear they were not interested in bringing him on board.
Valtteri Bottas' F1 Future in Doubt for 2025
Despite his impressive record in Formula 1, Bottas faces an uncertain future as Sauber/Audi F1 has chosen to replace him with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for next season. With no seat at his current team, Bottas had hoped for a possible move to Red Bull, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding Sergio Perez's position amid a dip in form.
However, Red Bull, who are yet to confirm their driver lineup for F1 2025, have made it clear to Bottas that he is not in the running for a seat alongside four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. This has left Bottas somewhat baffled, as he believes there is a dislike from certain people within the Red Bull camp.
Bottas’ Feelings on Red Bull's Dismissal
In an interview after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Bottas expressed his frustration, saying, “I feel like there are some people at Red Bull who don’t really like me for some reason. I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s an option. That’s my feeling.” His comments suggest a deeper issue, as Bottas feels there is a personal element involved in Red Bull's decision to reject him.
When asked about the possibility of speaking to Red Bull’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, Bottas admitted he was unsure whether that would make a difference. "I feel like they have lots of drivers on their programme, and they prefer them," Bottas added. "Some time ago, we asked, and it was a pretty clear no, for some reason." Bottas has no clear answer as to why Red Bull has shut the door on him, but the team’s firm stance has left him with little hope for a 2025 seat with the team.
Potential Mercedes Return for Bottas in F1 2025
With his prospects at Red Bull out of the picture, Bottas may have a chance to return to Mercedes in some capacity for F1 2025. There have been rumors that Bottas could be offered a role as Mercedes’ reserve driver, following Mick Schumacher's departure from the position at the end of the 2024 season. Bottas has also been linked to an advisory role with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, which could provide him with a valuable place in the team while he remains on the sidelines for the racing action.
Red Bull's Driver Plans for F1 2025
Red Bull's decision to dismiss Bottas from consideration comes at a time when speculation is rife regarding the future of Sergio Perez. Despite his early-season successes, Perez’s recent form has raised questions about his continued place at the team alongside Verstappen. This has led many to wonder if Red Bull might look for a new teammate for Verstappen, potentially opening up a seat for a driver like Bottas. However, Bottas’s own rejection signals that Red Bull is not currently interested in his services, and the search for Verstappen’s future teammate continues.
As the 2024 season progresses, Bottas’s future in Formula 1 is becoming clearer, with a return to Mercedes looking more likely than a switch to Red Bull. His time in F1 is far from over, but whether he can secure a competitive seat for 2025 remains to be seen.
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