Bottas says no “burned bridges” with Mercedes over Hamilton alternative

Hamilton’s shock determination to depart Mercedes has energised the motive force market forward of 2025, simply when it gave the impression to be stalling as Ferrari and McLaren moved to tie Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris to long-term offers.

Sauber driver Bottas drove for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021 as Hamilton’s team-mate, however the workforce determined to interchange the Finn with George Russell from the 2022 season.

Hamilton’s impending transfer means Mercedes is all of a sudden in want of a alternative to race alongside Russell subsequent season, with its choices restricted by the timing of Hamilton’s determination and people new contracts being issued for fascinating drivers at different groups.

Bottas is coming into what he calls a “contract 12 months” with Sauber, forward of its Audi takeover for 2026.

The Finn stopped wanting expressing a said want to return to Mercedes given his alternative to safe a long-term future as a part of what he known as the Sauber/Audi “mission”, however stated there are “so far as I do know, no burned bridges” a couple of potential return.

“It is no lie, I used to be in Brackley the day earlier than really,” Bottas stated, referencing an Instagram story he posted final week earlier than Hamilton’s Ferrari transfer was introduced, which went viral amongst F1 followers given the placement involved close to the Mercedes base.

“Not on the Mercedes manufacturing facility, however I used to be there doing another stuff. No, we have not spoken on the cellphone but with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss].

“And if I might return, yeah… Nicely, clearly, my precedence and largest dedication is the Audi mission, which is my goal.

“But when that would not occur, there is not any workforce that I would not go [to] maybe. I do know my priorities and I’ve acquired my record.”

When requested to present his response to the Hamilton/Ferrari information at Sauber’s 2024 automotive launch at London’s historic Guildhall on Monday, the Finn stated he was “stunned” by the event as he “by no means really thought that would occur”.

He added: “However I feel it is good for him – it is a massive alternative, it is a massive transfer. And clearly, he is made the choice himself.

“[I’m] joyful for him and for certain that is now going to escalate some motion available in the market for 2025. So, in the meanwhile, it is fairly onerous to foretell how it may go.

“I by no means imagined it might occur. And likewise the timing of it. However I am joyful for him as a result of it is good for him.

“I feel it is an amazing problem. I am certain it is a massive motivation for him to convey Ferrari to the highest.

“So, it is sort of cool and it’ll positively create some motion for the longer term, which is nice for the entire sport and for some drivers, for certain.”