Valtteri Bottas Dismisses Red Bull Rumors, Cites “Dislike” Among Team Members

Valtteri Bottas has brushed aside speculation linking him to a potential seat at Red Bull for the 2025 F1 season. Despite his proven track record and extensive experience, the Finnish driver believes he is not under serious consideration due to perceived tensions within the Red Bull camp.

Speaking to Racing News365 during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, Bottas remarked, “I feel like some people at Red Bull don’t really like me for some reason. I don’t think it’s an option, but that’s just my feeling.”

The 35-year-old finds himself without a race seat for the 2025 season after Sauber opted to replace him with Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto. The Brazilian rookie will team up with Nico Hulkenberg as the team transitions into its new era under Audi’s branding.

Meanwhile, Red Bull’s ongoing struggles with Sergio Perez, who continues to falter in comparison to teammate Max Verstappen, have sparked rumors of potential replacements for the underperforming Mexican driver. Bottas, with his wealth of experience, had been floated as a possible candidate. However, his doubts suggest this possibility is unlikely to materialize.

Adding another layer to Bottas’ future prospects, General Motors’ imminent entry into Formula 1 in 2026 could provide fresh opportunities. When asked about driving for the American automaker, Bottas showed interest, saying, “Yes, I could!”

For now, Bottas is rumored to be eyeing a return to Mercedes in 2025 as a reserve driver. The Finn previously spent five seasons with the Silver Arrows from 2017 to 2021, securing 10 grand prix victories and contributing significantly to the team’s dominance during that period.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed optimism about Bottas’ potential comeback, telling Viaplay in Las Vegas, “It’s only a matter of time before Valtteri rejoins the family. Nothing is signed or finalized yet, but if we could have him back, we’d be overjoyed.”

Wolff highlighted Bottas’ value, saying, “To have someone of his capability and recent experience with modern F1 cars would be an incredible asset. Negotiations are ongoing, and it’s really just a matter of sorting out the final details.”

While Bottas’ 2025 plans remain uncertain, his future in Formula 1 looks far from over, with opportunities on the horizon at Mercedes and potentially beyond. For now, the Finnish driver remains a key figure in paddock discussions as teams consider their lineups for the seasons ahead.