On the eve of the Austrian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas spoke about his and his teammate Zhou Guanyu’s future. The goal is to remain Formula 1 next year too but everything depends on the decisions, which are slow in arriving, of another driver
June 27, 2024
Solely a few days ago the Spanish GP came to an end, but Formula 1 isn’t stopping and is already warming up its engines for the next round of the season, the eleventh to be precise. In fact, this weekend in Spielberg the Austrian Grand Prix 2024. On the eve of this round, where we will also find the Sprint format, Valtteri Bottas he spoke, in addition to the expectations of this race, about the future, both his own and that of his teammate Zhou Guanyu. In fact, at least one of the two will have to tell the Stake F1 Team given that a seat has already been assigned to Nico Hulkenberg and Sauber also wants to sign Carlos Sainz in anticipation of the arrival of Audi in 2026.
“As I’ve always said, I really like the Sprint Race because the situation varies for a while and then I believe that we have a good chance of doing well” declared the Finnish driver to the journalists present at the Red Bull Ring, including our Diletta Colombo. “The chance is there and we believe, above all we hope, that the weather will improve, even if this is a particular trackwhere it is very difficult to make predictions. I expect, in addition to a bit of luck, to have the right set up to face the entire weekend and to find the rhythm immediately. Normally we have three free practice sessions but with this format we don’t; so, it will be essential to find the right balance before qualifying. But I have to say that I like these conditions with all this variability. This track is quite extreme in terms of slow and high-speed corners. You have to have some power in all the turns. You have very low speed, but then you have very high speed. So it’s important to find the right balance with your setup. The lap time is much shorter, so it’s just a matter of putting it all together and making a big difference. This year there will also be gravel to avoid the disaster of last year’s track limits. I like this choice which should solve this problem“.
Bottas: “Zhou must have more confidence if he wants a future in F1”
“Zhou has made great strides compared to last year. He has improved in practically everything. In his Racecraft, in his pure qualifying speed, in his feedback, in his confidence. But obviously this season is different, more complicated. I think he’s not very comfortable with this car and this, obviously, doesn’t help his confidence. It was a bit difficult for him, but it was nice to see him in Barcelona. He was on good strategy and I think his performance was solid in the race. He did a good job. I guess now he will get his confidence back and get back to where he should be. Last year in many qualifiers we were quite close, but now there is more of a gap. This also means that I sometimes lack a bit of a reference in terms of comparing the data. I expect him to step up again, but between me and him it’s still great. We have always been good teammates together and we can work together. I think it’s changed on that side. He could do well in any team, but he needs to be more confident or he won’t find much for next season. I really hope so for him.”
Bottas on his future: “100% focused on F1 but…”
“I’m not very active in the driver market because during the race weekends I prefer to concentrate on what happens on the track. This interests me at the moment, doing my job well for the teamto. When I’m free I talk to my management to evaluate offers from the different teams, including Sauber, obviously. I hope to find a seat for next year as soon as possible. I can’t say at the moment what my priorities are for the future because there is someone else who still has to decide where to go. Obviously this waiting is dangerous because some doors might close in the meantime, but I am confident that I can race in Formula 1 again next year. But of course, until you have signed, nothing is confirmed. At the beginning it was strange for me that a team wanted me but at the same time wanted another rider more than me. Strange also that my future should depend on another’s decision. Let’s be clear: this sport is not always fair. There are many other things outside of pure performance, so I understand from my long experience and I know that there is a reason for all this” declared Bottas, referring in a roundabout way to Carlos Sainz, still at the center of the market.
