F1 fan favourite teases future team with cryptic post

Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo at an F1 press conference — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 fan favourite teases future team with cryptic post

His 2025 destination is still to be decided

Originally written by Rhys Thomas. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 14 August 2024 22:00

An F1 driver has sent supporters spiralling with a cryptic post which could provide a hint to their future.

The driver market has been engulfed in chaos since Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari was announced in February.

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Several moves and contract extensions have been triggered since then, but uncertainty remains for some as the summer break approaches its conclusion.

Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas are amongst those still searching for security on the grid for 2025, and the Finn may have suggested his destiny in a recent post on social media.

Valtteri Bottas has not yet signed a deal for 2025

Neither Stake F1 Team driver has scored points in 2024

Where will Valtteri Bottas drive in 2025?

Team-mate Zhou Guanyu is also pointless, and only one driver can remain at the team for 2025 after the announcement that Nico Hulkenberg will join from Haas.

The German will arrive ahead of the Swiss outfit's transition to Audi for 2026. The manufacturer has already acquired a 100% stake in the Sauber Holding AG, who are operating as Stake F1 Team in the sport this season.

On his social media accounts, Bottas posted a picture of an Audi car with his racing number, 77, on the side.

Fun day in California ??

More to come eventually about our secret mission with @Hyland #VB77 @stakef1team_ks pic.twitter.com/rz1WenKeDu
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) August 14, 2024

Immediately, fans jumped to the conclusion that Bottas could be suggesting he will stay with the team as it becomes Audi.

Valtteri Bottas has just posted an Audi with #77 on the side, on his Instagram story ?? is that a hint or am I a conspiracy theorist ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/pYr9A7pTec
— Sam Sage (@samuelsagef1) August 13, 2024

Bottas tagged Stake F1 Team in his X post, and wrote: "Fun day in California. More to come eventually about our secret mission with Hyland."

It is unclear as yet what the 'secret' mission involves. It could be unrelated to Bottas' personal future with the team, though his fans will hope a new deal is being worked on simultaneously.

If Bottas is unable to secure a new contract at the team, he is likely to be out of F1 for good, with Alpine likely his only realistic chance of extending his career in the sport.

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Daniel Ricciardo Haas Nico Hulkenberg Valtteri Bottas