Valtteri Bottas has revealed he turned down a proposal to drive in IndyCar full-time subsequent season however insisted he’s open to tackling the Indianapolis 500 – although his major focus stays on Components 1.
The 35-year-old will go away Sauber on the finish of 2024 and is predicted to switch Mick Schumacher as reserve driver for his former squad Mercedes.
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That’s with an eye fixed to a return to the grid in 2026 for the brand new period of F1 racing, as regulation modifications are enforced whereas Cadillac’s recently-announced entry boosts the variety of seats accessible.
With give attention to protecting his F1 profession alive, Bottas has determined to not look elsewhere for a full-time racing programme subsequent yr, and talking forward of the Qatar Grand Prix, he defined: “It is a acutely aware resolution, I believe it simply comes too fast.
“For instance, for instance, leaping right into a full IndyCar season after 12 years of F1, I simply really feel prefer it comes a bit too fast as a result of it is a number of onerous work and a number of familiarisation to be accomplished and all these items.
“So yeah, I would quite take only a little bit of time to determine what’s subsequent and go from there.”
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Crew KICK Sauber C44
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
Requested if he had any approaches for an IndyCar swap, Bottas replied: “Sure, I’ve had talks and approaches at this level. I’ve made it fairly clear that subsequent yr comes a bit too fast.
“2026 remains to be an opportunity to drop [in] the great automobile. My precedence nonetheless stays Components 1. If it is to not be Components 1 in 2026, then it is actually attention-grabbing for me for the longer term.”
Though Bottas has turned his again on a full-time drive in 2025, there may be nonetheless the possibility he might compete in one-off occasions, starting along with his confirmed look on the Race of Champions.
“To begin with it relies upon if I’ll be round right here at each grand prix or not,” he mentioned. “If sure then clearly the choices are a little bit bit much less restricted.
“I imply, Indy 500 has at all times been on the checklist, I have been at all times a fan of V8 Supercars and all these sorts of issues. So in the mean time, I am nonetheless fairly open and I simply must… first I must determine really what’s the subsequent transfer after which we’ll see.
“I’ve not been allowed to do any rallying within the final two years. So it will be good to get again into it a little bit bit, have some enjoyable.”
On whether or not he was given an Indy 500-only supply from an IndyCar outfit, Bottas replied: “Not but. I did get a stable supply for ’25 full season, however Indy 500 solely, we have not actually gone into particulars, however like I mentioned, first I want to repair what’s the precise day job for ’25 and go from there.”
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On this article
Ewan Gale
Components 1
IndyCar
Valtteri Bottas
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Author : Motorsports
Publish date : 2024-11-28 15:39:06
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