Audi driver decision “imminent” to be bad news for Valtteri Bottas | F1

Valtteri Bottas may soon be out of Formula 1.

Sauber, who will be rebranded as Audi in 2026, is expected to announce their decision on the driver line-up for next year.

Gabriel Bortleto is likely to be chosen, according to F1-Insider.

This would leave Bottas without a drive.

Speculation about Bortleto increased during his home race, the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, over the weekend.

Although the Brazilian currently leads Formula 2, he is under contract with McLaren.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella indicated they would not stand in his way of entering Formula 1, potentially paving the way for him to join Sauber.

Sauber has already secured Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for 2025.

It seems that Bottas is now on the sidelines of the situation.

“There are questions when there is no confirmation,” he stated in Brazil.

“I have shown my interest in being part of the Audi project. Now I wait for news from the team,” he added.

The 35-year-old Bottas, a 10-time F1 grand prix winner with Mercedes, appears to be nearing the end of his 12-year career in Formula 1.

With his teammate Guanyu Zhou and former Williams driver Logan Sargeant, Bottas has been one of the few drivers this season to have not scored any points.