The writing is on the wall for 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Valtteri Bottas following news 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Hulkenberg will become Audi’s first F1 driver in 2025.

It comes as no surprise with rumours of Hulkenberg joining the Swiss outfitౠ a regular occurrence in recent motnsh.

Since returning to F1 with Haas in 2023, Hulkenberg has been one of the midfield’s star performers, particularly for his 🐟dazzling qual♛ifying displays.

While there is still one seat available at Sauber next year, CEO Andreas Sei🏅dl has Carlos Sainz top of his wishlist.

Seidl is prepared to wait for Sainz as the Spaniard is keen to see whether Red Bull retain 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Sergio Perez or Mercedes ha𒆙ve an opening if they decide against Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

This leaves Bottas - and Zhou Guanyu out oﷺf a drive for 2025.

In Bottas’ case 💜at least, it does seem unjustified given that the Finn’s performances so far in 2024 have been close to his best.

Bottas is on a run of nine consecutive wins over Zhou in qualifying - only 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Alex Albon and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen are on better streaks against their teammate - and the former Mercedes driver would have likely scored points on at least two occasions this year had it not been for poor﷽ reliability or slow pit stops.

The true level of Bottas’ performances have been masked byℱ Sa✤uber’s lack of pace over the last 13 months, while Zhou isn’t a competitive benchmark to compare him with.

Staying at Sauber seems to be completely off the table, with them eyeing up Alpine duo 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Pierre Gasly or 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Esteban Ocon if ꦜSainz decides a move to Switzerland isn’t f🦩or him.

So where could Bottas end up?

Haas

Haas’ look certain to be signing Oliv𝓰er Bearman for 2025.

Bearman starred 🗹in his one-off appearance for Saudi Arabia, combined with Haas’ Ferrari links.

Alongside Bearman, Haas will be keen to have an experienced driver alongside him to lead the team - but a🐎lso nurture him.

Haas could retain 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Kevin Magnussen, who has be♉en racing for them since 20𝔉17 (2021 aside).

If fancy a change - 🉐and an upgrade on Magnussen - then ꧒Bottas would be a good choice.

Bottas is a great team player anඣd helped Zhou a lot during his rookie year back in 2022.

Bottas has the edg♔e on Magnussen in terms of pace while lacking the Dane’s combative 🅘nature.

Williams

A return to ba🍌ck where his F1 career started could be a possi🎀bility for Bottas.

The ෴Finn enjoyed four great seasons at Williams beꦓfore moving to Mercedes in 2017.

Bottas helped Wil❀liams to two 🍸consecutive third-place finishes in the constructors’ championship, scoring nine podiums with him.

It would be a poetic end to his F1 career, but more importantly🌜, would give Williams an incredibly strong line-up in the midfield.

Bottas alongside Albon would be an incredibly potent pairing, especia🀅lly w🥀ith the midfield being so close.

His chances of returning to Williams will ultimatel🎃y come down to whether Andrea Kimi Antonelli is handed the Mercedes drive or not.

Should Mercedes feel that Antonelli is not ready, he will probably be placed in Williams like 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell was for a few years.

Alpine

A leftfield option for Bottas could be Alpine.

Ocon and Gasly are repor🌳tedly unhappy with the situa💧tion at Alpine and are assessing options elsewhere.

The duo are also on Audi’s wishlist for 2025, mea𓄧ning a vacancy could open.

While Alpine’s on-track♌ performance is below-par, they are still a works outfit.

Ultimately Bottas to Alpine comes down to wh🍷ether Gasly or Ocon decide to jump shi🐭p.

Retirement

Bo🦩ttas has achieved more than most in his F1 career.

10 victories, 20♒ pole positions and 67 podiums is an impressive set 🤪of statistics - what else is there left to achieve?

A return to a top team is incredibly unlikely and by joining Williams or Haas, B𝄹ottas would be set for a few more years in the midfield.

Given that he’s only 34, and remains blisteringly quick, a move to another motorsport category or simply focused on his passions outside of F1 - coffee and cycling - could be the𓆏 best move for him.