The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could spell the end of Valtteri Bottas’ impressive Formula 1 career.
After nearly 250 Grand Prix, 10 victories, 67 podiums and almost 1800 points, Valtteri Bottas will say goodbye to his place on the F1 grid.
Three seasons with Sauber – previously known as Alfa Romeo – will come to an end at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after the team decided to go in a different direction with their driver line-up for 2025.
Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will replace Bottas and Zhou Guanyu next year before the team becomes the Audi works operation.
The Finn has not only proved to be a fantastic F1 driver – helping Mercedes win multiple Constructors’ Championships – but also one of the sport’s biggest personalities.
Bottas’ exceptional race feedback makes him an ideal candidate for teams near the back of the grid, although Bottas admitted he’s not an option for Red Bull despite Sergio Perez’s struggles due to Helmut Marko’s poor assessment of him.
While Bottas won’t be on the grid next season, a return to F1 in 2026 can’t be ruled out.
Journalist Mat Coch was speaking on the Pit Talk Podcast and admitted that Bottas could be at the front of the queue of drivers to join the new Cadillac team.
They would certainly benefit from his experience and his popularity among F1 fans.
Valtteri Bottas could be ‘first cab off the rank’ for Cadillac in 2026
Coch was talking about Bottas’s future after losing his Sauber seat and said: “It’ll be interesting to see Valtteri Bottas if he lands there [at Mercedes].
“He’s still very highly thought of within Mercedes and whether that’s a sort of stepping stone onto the team formally known as Andretti for 2026.
“It will also be interesting as I think he’s got to be first cab off the rank given his experience and pedigree.”
Cadillac have been linked with Colton Herta and having an American driver on the grid racing for an American team would certainly appear to F1 and Liberty Media.
READ MORE: Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
However, a return for Bottas given his standing among fans wouldn’t be opposed by many people and Sauber’s car this year has made it very difficult to judge just how fast he still is.
What Valtteri Bottas has previously said about racing for Cadillac in Formula 1?
Unsurprisingly, Bottas has already been asked about joining Cadillac given the announcement of an 11th team on the grid coincided with the news that he wouldn’t be continuing with Sauber.
When the prospect was put to the Finnish driver, he said: “I think to be around, to hopefully be able to do some testing etc [in 2025], it gives me a chance for ’26.
“Because in this sport you just never know what happens.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
“There is also a new team joining, which means two more seats. That obviously increases the opportunities for ’26.”
Next year’s driver’s market isn’t expected to be as chaotic as what has taken place this year, with most teams securing their line-ups for 2026 when the regulations change.
However, the number of rookies on the grid means there will be uncertainty surrounding just how quickly they can adapt to F1.
If a quick fix is needed, Bottas is one of the obvious candidates, meaning Cadillac may have to act sooner than they would like should they decide that the 35-year-old is the right man for the job.
