"Those plans went into the bin when he left" - Valtteri Bottas makes his feelings known on Sauber’s derailed ambitions after Frédéric Vasseur exit

Valtteri Bottas has made a startling claim about his poor tenure with Sauber. After facing a DNF in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Finnish driver claimed he had an option to terminate his contract with Kick Sauber when Frédéric Vasseur left the team to join Ferrari as team principal.

However, Audi promised him a key role in their upcoming project, which convinced Bottas to stay. But the 35-year-old alleged that the promise wasn't kept.

Ex-Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas won't be a part of the 2025 F1 season drivers lineup as his three-year stint with Kick Sauber has come to an end. The Hinwil team instead signed Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto for the impending season.

Meanwhile, in his final race at Abu Dhabi, the 10-time Grand Prix winner faced a DNF after sustaining significant damage from the opening lap collision with Sergio Perez. In the post-race interview with Motorsportweek, Bottas made some explosive comments describing his three-year tenure with Kick Sauber.

He pinned Frédéric Vasseur's departure to Ferrari as a turning point for Sauber. The Finnish driver added that his three-year future plan went to dust the moment Vasseur made the switch, though he harbors no hard feelings towards the Ferrari team principal.

“There was a clear plan [with Vasseur] for targets for the three years, and also how to get there. But those plans and targets went into the bin when he left. I don’t blame him [Vasseur] because if you’re a team principal and have a chance to go to Ferrari, you go," said Bottas.

Valtteri Bottas also claimed that Audi, taking over a 100% stake in Sauber by 2026, offered him to be the pillar of their upcoming project. While that promise initially convinced him to not leave with Fred, Bottas claims the word wasn't kept.

"I did have an option that if Fred goes, I can go, but I was then, once Audi was confirmed, I was always told I would be a pillar for the project. Well, that didn’t happen," he added.

Bottas earlier admitted regretting his decision to join Kick Sauber in 2021, explaining that given a chance to go back in time, he would have gone somewhere else. Looking ahead, while some speculations have linked him to his former team Mercedes for a potential reserve driver role, the 35-year-old confirmed that his future in F1 is undecided.

Valtteri Bottas disappointed with challenging 2024 season

Valtteri Bottas during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Image Source: Getty

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, Valtteri Bottas spoke to F1 and recalled his 2024 season to label it a challenging journey. From bad pitstops to poor strategy to lack of performance, Kick Sauber finished P10 in the constructors championship with four total points. Bottas bowed out with zero points for the entire season.

Reflecting on the journey, the Finnish driver said 2024 has been the most difficult year of his life. He told Formula 1:

“It’s been a long, challenging season. It’s my feeling at this point that I’m happy to get over with this season that has been the most difficult in my career."

Before wrapping up, Valtteri Bottas also shed light on retirement rumors, saying he isn't ready to hang up his helmet. The 35-year-old is motivated to contribute but admits that chances are slim. By next week, the Finnish driver and his team will sit down to take a final call on his future in racing.