During Valtteri Bottas’s media responsibilities for Sauber on Thursday in Miami, the Finn was obviously frustrated.
Everyone could sense that there was something seething beneath the surface of the normally calm and collected Sauber driver.
The reason he was so irritated? the startling realisation that Sauber had taken Alex Chan’s seat as his race engineer when he arrived at the circuit.
During the FIA press conference, Bottas made it clear by his tone and manner that this was a development that neither he supported nor expected, particularly on the eve of Sprint weekend, which always brings with it its own set of difficulties.
Indeed, he remarked, “it was quite a sudden change.” Working with a new guy will undoubtedly be difficult because it’s a sprint weekend, but try to make the most of it.
“There is a lot of support for him. However, this is a quite abrupt adjustment.
After five races, Sauber has not yet earned a championship point, together with Williams and Alpine.
Beyond its dismal performance, however, the team has always been unimpressive, even if Bottas managed to qualify for the top ten shootout in qualifying for the first time this season in Shanghai.
According to the Finn, Sauber’s abrupt choice to change his race engineer was an attempt by the Swiss team to save itself from dire circumstances.
“I believe it’s a component of the team’s reconstruction,” he remarked.
Some individuals are joining, and some are departing. Obviously, I have no control over a lot of those judgements. Those are not decisions I make.
It’s possible that many factors contributed to Bottas’ apparent annoyance than just the unanticipated race engineer switch. Nico Hulkenberg’s recent announcement that he has signed on to be Audi’s first driver for 2025 may have served as another source.
The Finn was well aware that things might not work out for him with the Hinwil squad. However, Bottas and colleague Zhou Guanyu will now compete for a possible remaining place with the squad as a result of Audi/Sauber’s declaration.
Bottas’ Miami weekend was undoubtedly marred by the abrupt adjustments, the impending battle for a single seat with Audi, and the rumours that Carlos Sainz would finish the team’s 2025 lineup.
He said, “Of course, the timing is a little surprising and quite early.” However, the driver market is beginning to move, and it also makes sense in some ways.
It’s all good because he’s German and Audi has stated quite clearly that they prefer a German driver. Watch what transpires next.
Even while a long-term deal with Audi would probably be welcomed, it currently seems like a very distant possibility. Williams was mentioned by Bottas as a potential, suggesting that he is considering alternative possibilities in Formula One.
“I’m talking to a lot of teams, and some of the conversations have gone further than others,” he stated.
The ten-time Grand Prix winner might possibly make a one-year comeback to Mercedes if the Brackley team wants to give teenage young gun Andrea Kimi Antonelli one more year to develop before promoting him to the big leagues.
