Urheilu’s F1 expert Jukka Mildh would not close Valtteri Bottas’ door to the royal class just yet.
Valtteri Bottas F1 career may be over. Or not. It is certain that the Finn does not have a driver’s contract for next season.
Urheilu F1 expert Jukka Mildh sums up the meaning of Bottas’ wonderful career and possible future plans.
What kind of F1 career did Valtteri Bottas have according to Finns?
Valtteri Bottas’ F1 career is excellent even by Finnish standards, even though he never won the personal world championship.
10 race wins, two World Cup silvers and five manufacturers’ championships in the ranks of Mercedes are hard currency.
In the number of podium places, Bottas ranks among the elite in the history of the sport.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff strongly supported Bottas’ career also financially.
– The value of a young driver is reflected if Toto Wolff decides to pay for a career up to the F1 series. Bottas also redeemed those expectations, says Mildh.
The investment has really paid off: Mercedes has not won the manufacturers’ championship since Bottas left the team.
With Mercedes, the Finn rose to the F1 elite.
– Years Lewis Hamilton with made him a tough driver. He was able to beat Hamilton in races and qualifying sessions, even though the place was difficult, Mildh emphasizes.
– Valtteri has had a great career. He still has a high value in this sport and in the sport circles, Mildh continues.
Did Sauber have anything to do?
Bottas moved to Sauber for the 2022 season. However, at that time the team went by the name Alfa Romeo. After a reasonable opening season, the results of both the team and Bottas have taken a dive.
According to Mildh, it is easy to say in retrospect that Bottas was in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to Mildh, the Finn did what he could.
– Expectations were high that the environment would be right. Stable boss Frédéric Vasseur however, it left the stable and was replaced by Audi patterns. The team and the car were no longer developed this season, Mildh points out.
What next?
In interviews with Viaplay, both Wolff and Bottas gave a strong indication that the Finn’s career would continue at Mercedes. Neither of them confirmed the deal, but Bottas would be the logical choice for Mercedes’ three-man driver due to his history and experience.
Jukka Mildh also drew attention to Bottas’ helmet in the final race, which only read the phrase “What’s next?” that Bottas branded at the end of the season.
The helmet was silver.
– Yes, it points somewhat in the direction of Mercedes. He gets there as a backup driver and an ambassador. A long career in the team also supports that, Mildh reflects.
The Mercedes drivers for next season are George Russell and young promise Kimi Antonelli. If the young Italian flops, Bottas would be a guaranteed choice as a replacement.
Bottas’ experience will also be needed, as the F1 series will switch to new cars for the 2026 season.
In this respect, the Yankee team Cadillac associated with the F1 series has also been raised as an option for Bottas in 2026.
On the other hand, Mildh hopes for Bottas, above all, a racing program. He sees a future in Bottas, for example, at the wheel of Hypercars in trackside endurance races, such as the Le Mans classic race.
– He is an entrepreneur and an investor, but they don’t satisfy a racing car driver’s desire to spend. There are still opportunities in the F1 series as well. He is in the front line as a substitute for those drivers when a driver is prevented from competing.