Bottas: 2026 is not far away

Valtteri Bottas is poised to continue competing in Formula 1 when German company Audi comes to the championship, which is slated for 2026.

At a press conference in Spa on Friday morning, Audi executives, along with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, discussed the decision regarding the impending transition to a new generation of engines.

It has not yet been announced which of the existing teams Audi will collaborate with, but it is expected that it will be Sauber, which has been driving as Alfa Romeo in Formula 1 since 2018. The Italian company has already announced that the partnership with Sauber will end at the end of 2023 and apparently the upcoming alliance of the team from Hinvil with Audi will be officially confirmed if the parties feel the time is right.

Valtteri Bottas called Audi’s decision great news and hinted that he would be ready to join this project.

“Let’s say I never set a specific limit for myself after which I will end my career. Absolutely, I feel like I still have more than a year to go, – said the Finnish rider in an interview with Crash.net. “I will continue to drive in Formula 1 as long as I enjoy it, as long as I can show good results. I can only imagine that this will continue for many years to come.

I think the arrival of a new manufacturer in Formula 1 is great news, and 2026 is not such a distant future. Let’s see how it ends, but let’s get back to this conversation in a year or a few years!

Compared to last year, our team has made an important step forward and now we just need to get back to the level we were at the start of the season. But we have potential. When we earn points it gives the team extra motivation and everyone who works at the Hinwil base has a high fighting spirit. The team has what it takes to be one of the best and that’s reassuring.”