F1 News: Valtteri Bottas Clarifies Audi's Future In Formula 1
Sauber F1 Team driver Valtteri Bottas, anticipating Audi's acquisition of the team in 2026, has addressed circulating rumors indicating that the German manufacturer might reconsider its entry into the top tier of motorsport.
Key Takeaways:
- Valtteri Bottas addresses rumors surrounding Audi's potential withdrawal from the F1 project amid anticipation of the German manufacturer's takeover of the Sauber team in 2026.
- Despite past reports suggesting Audi's withdrawal, senior officials reaffirm the commitment to join F1 in 2026, coinciding with the new era of regulations.
- Bottas emphasizes his dedication to Sauber and Audi, dismissing speculation about returning to Mercedes and highlighting the growing cooperation between Sauber and Audi, while Stake's Team Representative sheds light on the limited publicity surrounding Audi's entry, attributing it to Sauber's prior partnership with Alfa Romeo.
Since last year, multiple reports surfaced suggesting that Audi will pull the plug from the F1 project, despite senior officials from the outfit confirming that it is going ahead with the takeover of the Sauber/ Stake F1 team in 2026.
While the German manufacturer gears up for an entry into the sport in 2026 when F1 enters a new era of regulations, Bottas has come forward to put an end to the rumors surrounding its historical entry. Speaking to the media, he clarified:
“I think it's just rumours from what I understand and what I've heard.
“They're still fully committed for the future."
With barely two years left to go, Bottas added that the association between Audi and Sauber was "starting to pick up". He said:
“I think the cooperation will start sometime soon, I would imagine if Audi already wants to be competitive in their first year.
“Sauber and Audi will need to work together but that's all going on behind the scenes.
“As a driver, whatever meetings or stuff is happening behind the scenes, we are not always aware of those things. But things are starting to pick up now.”
Recently, when asked about the possibility of returning to his former team Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari next year, Bottas reiterated his desire to join the Audi F1 team and expressed his commitment to continuing with Sauber.
High interest surrounds Audi's F1 project, especially regarding its driver lineup. The relatively low publicity surrounding Audi's entry last year may have raised doubts about the brand's seriousness. Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Stake's Team Representative, attributed the low publicity to Sauber's prior partnership with Alfa Romeo, which concluded last season.
