Valtteri Bottas explains Imola paddock meeting with F1 team boss as move likely

19 May 2024 , 08:53

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Valtteri Bottas is considering his options for 2025 (Image: Getty Images)

Valtteri Bottas has offered an explanation for his conspicuous meeting with Williams boss James Vowles in the Imola paddock.

The Sauber driver was spotted leaving the Williams motorhome at the Italian track on Saturday. It is understood he met with team principal Vowles for around 15 minutes.

Given Bottas is likely to need a new home for next season, his Williams visit unsurprisingly set tongues wagging. Vowles worked with the Finn for five years at Mercedes, though, so there may have been an innocent explanation for their meeting.

And that was the story the 34-year-old went with as he was quizzed on the matter. He said: "[James] is a good friend of mine. I ran out of coffee in our motorhome so I needed to get some from there."

Pressed on what was discussed, Bottas went on to add: "[It was] normal things, about life. Of course, when you're on the free market, you want to check around what's out there. It's a pretty normal situation when you're on the free market."

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Audi have already signed Nico Hulkenberg to their project, meaning one of Bottas and team-mate Zhou Guanyu will definitely leave Sauber at the end of this year. And the Germans are targeting Carlos Sainz for the other seat available.

Bottas' experience will be valuable to other teams and he is expected to have more than one potential suitor for next season. Alpine are reportedly keen on the Finn, while Williams are also understood to like the idea of bringing their former driver back.

Alex Albon has signed a new long-term contract but Logan Sargeant is fighting for his F1 future and has yet to score a point this year. Team principal Vowles has given the American plenty of time to improve but admitted this week that the situation has now got to the point that he is considering replacements.

He said: "I'm looking and, at the moment, it's about three options for 2025/’26, it's as simple as that. When we're in a position where I can talk about it openly, which won't be long, we will do. But, for now, the direction of travel is we know that we need to be performing at the highest level.

"Logan has control in his hands, making sure he's performing at that level. That's his ability to control. I haven't taken that away from him. But what's clear is we also need to be talking to others. And we are."

Daniel Moxon