Bottas could return to Mercedes as test driver in '25

Valtteri Bottas' future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, with the possibility of either extending his racing career for multiple seasons or stepping back into a different role.

After the Singapore GP, it appeared that the Finnish driver was heading towards a new one-year contract with Audi-owned Sauber. However, during the three-week break that followed, the situation shifted significantly.

Newer and younger candidates such as Mick Schumacher, Franco Colapinto, and Gabriel Bortoleto have since been linked to the vacant 2025 race seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

"At the moment, it seems to be more up to Mattia (Binotto) than me," Bottas, 34, told STT news agency in Austin. "I remain positive because I believe I am the best option, but of course there is a risk that I won't get the place.

"But we have also established a good connection with Mattia since he arrived. We have discussed my future and also technical issues."

Mattia Binotto, the new head of Audi's F1 project, confirmed that he met with Mick Schumacher in Austin, explaining that he told the German that "nothing has been decided yet."

Meanwhile, Williams team principal James Vowles has offered to loan Franco Colapinto to Audi and confirmed that he has not received an official "no" regarding Colapinto's 2025 chances.

"I wouldn't rule out Franco being on the starting grid next year," Vowles stated.

Colapinto, who has impressed since replacing Logan Sargeant, joked after the US Grand Prix: "Maybe next year, if I don't have a seat, I'll become a strategy engineer instead."

Binotto, however, clarified that whoever secures the race seat will not be on a short-term contract. "We are looking to the future and trying to build a team," he told Viaplay in Austin. "A one-year deal would not make sense, so we are negotiating a multi-year contract."

He indicated that a decision would be made by mid-November at the latest.

For Bottas, the news may not be favorable.

"I've heard that Bottas will return to Mercedes as a test driver in 2025," former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher said.

Blick, a Swiss newspaper, reported that Schumacher, who is Mick Schumacher's uncle, gathered this information directly from people close to Bottas.

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