Valtteri Bottas keen to stick around in F1 and become an Audi works driver in 2026

Valtteri Bottas is not ruling out staying in Formula 1 long enough to benefit from Audi's decision to enter the sport in 2026.

The Finn currently races for F1's Swiss-based team, which will drop its Alfa Romeo branding after the Italian carmaker leaves the sport late next year.

That will be a prelude to Sauber teaming up with an expected 75% buyout by Audi - with 33-year-old Bottas not ruling out becoming a works Audi driver.

"I will be 37-years-old then, so why not?" he is quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV.

"Super talented young people are always coming in now, but experience has always been valued in F1," he said.

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Indycar on the cards?

However, reports last week quoted Chip Ganassi as getting excited about Bottas' apparent admiration for the Indycar series.

"Some people got excited when I said that, and I'm open to options," Bottas said.

"But I'm not going to leave F1 for a long time. However, it's not worth asking about the extension agreement with Alfa Romeo before next year," he added.

Indeed, Bottas reportedly joined Sauber this year on a two-year deal plus an option for 2024. That's too early for Audi's entry in 2026, but Bottas thinks the collaboration could start to kick off before then.

"It would be interesting to be involved in that process, if it's possible," said Bottas, who also thinks the team will start ramping up its development processes long before 2026.

"I don't see any obstacle to us reaching the same level as the best teams. The production side should be faster than now so that the desired changes are realised. Looking at the big picture, I think the collaboration between Sauber and Audi has great potential.

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