Bottas urges early Audi F1 involvement to unlock "huge" potential
Bottas urges early Audi F1 involvement to unlock "huge" potential
Valtteri Bottas has urged Audi to support Sauber as early as possible to build the foundations for success.
Sauber and Audi confirmed this week their new strategic partnership that will begin in 2026, with the team, currently racing as Alfa Romeo, set to become the works team of the German manufacturer.
Alfa Romeo will end its involvement with the outfit at the end of 2023 and Bottas believes that Audi should step in at this point, to begin the transition.
Asked how he views the timeline for success with Audi, and whether this would be possible from the start in 2026, Bottas conceded: “I think that depends on how much Audi is going to support this team before they officially become a manufacturer.
"Obviously, nothing changes next year. We are still with Alfa Romeo and of course, we hope that we have a better car than this year.
“But then I think it depends on the support from 2024 onwards, how much they are willing to support. If they are really helping a lot and supporting and if the power unit is good in 2026, which is impossible to predict at the moment, then why not?”
Sauber-Audi potential "huge"
Bottas played a role in achieving five consecutive constructors' championship titles with Mercedes from 2017 to 2021.
In contrast, Sauber has scored just a single race win since joining the grid in 1993 - this victory was achieved when allied to Audi's rival BMW in 2008.
Speaking about the added motivation within the team, knowing that a manufacturer is coming, Bottas added: "I think for this team, if you look at the big picture, I think it is huge. There is a big potential for Sauber with Audi.
“Obviously, no doubt they want to succeed in the future, they want to do well. So for sure, they are serious.
“I think that for any driver on the grid, and especially me now being already a part of Sauber, it would be very interesting to be a part of that project if it is possible."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton DELIGHTED with Mercedes pace after China masterclass - Top three verdict
- 43 minutes ago
F1 sprint races: How do they work and what are the changes for 2024?
- 1 hour ago
- 6
EXCLUSIVE: 'Sports should be above' politics claims F1 icon
- 1 hour ago
Sky Pundit suggests F1 star ‘DETRIMENTAL’ to nation
- 2 hours ago
F1 Flags Explained: What do the different colours mean?
- 3 hours ago
McLaren boss explains why FIA REVERSED Norris F1 penalty
- Today 14:01
Related news
F1 pundit WARNS Sainz over projected team move
Marko suggests Audi KEY to Red Bull star's future
F1 team buyout BEGINS ahead of full takeover
F1 veteran in Audi team leader BOAST: 'Look at my CV'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860