Valtteri Bottas Criticizes Sauber Tenure

Valtteri Bottas has openly admitted that signing with Sauber was a 'big mistake,' reflecting on his disappointing three-year stint after leaving Mercedes. Despite a promising start in 2022, where he finished sixth with the team, Bottas has struggled significantly since team principal Fred Vasseur's departure to Ferrari, and has failed to score any points in the 2024 season. He has expressed regret about not exploring other options, stating, 'If I could go back three years, I would have gone somewhere else.' Bottas, who recently qualified P9 for his final race in Abu Dhabi, is expected to return to Mercedes as a reserve driver in 2025 and has adopted the slogan 'What's Next?' to signify his intent to continue in Formula 1. He acknowledges the impact of his recent performance on his reputation, saying, 'If you can't show results, the name is kind of forgotten.' Bottas remains hopeful for future opportunities in the sport.