Valtteri Bottas has nine Formula 1 Grand Prix victories, 17 pole positions and 61 podium positions. In collaboration with Lewis Hamilton, he has led Mercedes to record success.
His future with the reigning world champion is questionable as George Russell is waiting in the starting blocks.
So what are the Finn’s options for 2022?
Stay with Mercedes
The Hamilton-Bottas combination has led Mercedes to four consecutive years of dominance. Four drivers’ titles for Hamilton; four constructors’ titles for Mercedes, why change a winning team? Hamilton has often praised Bottas, not only for his performance on the track, but also for his behavior within the team
“I have more poles than anyone here, so I’m not a bore and he’s doing a great job,” said Hamilton after qualifying at last year’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. “I think his result today speaks for itself and I don’t really have to say more. He’s talking on the track and that’s the great thing about Valtteri.
On the subject of matching items
“I don’t think there are many people out there who can do what he does when I’m really honest. I have a lot of respect for him. ”
Bottas finished second behind Hamilton twice, third in 2017 and only fifth in 2018 after a cruel accident in Azerbaijan cost him a sure win while team orders prevented him from winning in Russia and arguably Germany. It’s an impressive line-up that works for the team but also makes the seven-time Mercedes champion happy.
On the subject of matching items
While Red Bull has improved its driver line-up with the signing of Sergio Perez – who was rightly praised for some of his achievements in 2021 – Bottas has taken three podiums more than the Mexican in a less competitive car, and that without his botched pit stop in Monaco, would be ahead in the overall standings.
Bottas is doing a good job as number two at Mercedes.
However, the Russell factor is not objectionable.
Mercedes has to look long-term – Hamilton is getting older and Russell clearly has the speed and talent to thrive in a top team. Red Bull relied on Max Verstappen, Ferrari with Charles Leclerc, even McLaren with Hamilton himself in 2007.
The best choice for Mercedes is Russell; the best choice for Hamilton is Bottas – that’s the dilemma. Russell deserves a chance and it could even spur Hamilton to new heights.
A return to Williams?
Williams offers Bottas the most likely chance to stay in Formula 1. The Finn made his team debut in 2013 and made a significant contribution to the fact that the team from Grove took third place in the constructors’ championship next to Felipe Massa in 2014 and 2015.
It’s easy to forget how good Bottas was for Williams and why he was linked to Ferrari as a replacement for Kimi Raikkonen at certain points in 2014 and 2015. Williams would need a replacement for Russell and Bottas is a perfect fit.
He has already confirmed that he would consider options outside of Mercedes.
“Of course I want to understand the team, what the plan is, which driver they want in the other car,” said Bottas before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June. “Lewis is confirmed, the other one is still free, so the team has to make a decision. I have to have this discussion.
“But I also have the feeling that I still have many, many years in me. I enjoy racing, I love racing, I love F1, so it is definitely not enough to switch to another sport or motorsport in the coming years. “
Bottas would no longer be in Hamilton’s shadow, he would be the captain at Williams when it comes to continuing his resuscitation. Whether he would like to move to a team that has only scored eight points since the beginning of 2018 is another question, but he may have no other choice.
Replaces Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo
Bottas has proven to be an unlikely replacement for his compatriot at Alfa Romeo. Raikkonen’s achievements have waned in 2020 and are often far behind teammate Antonio Giovinazzi in qualifying – a new team leader may be required.
While Giovinazzi’s performances have improved, a rider of Bottas’ caliber would be a clear upgrade from what he currently has. Bottas together with a talented youngster like Callum Ilott or Robert Shwartzman would refresh Alfa’s line-up by 2022.
Another factor is that Bottas worked with Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur during his 2011 title winning season in the GP3 series.
Could they get together again?
Sabbatical
The 31-year-old may not be drawn to a move to two of F1’s slowest teams in recent years. A sabbatical from Formula 1 is another option for Bottas if he doesn’t feel like running behind.
Aside from the above options, it is unlikely that there will be any more spots available on the starting grid for 2022. A year off could mean that some trips will be free in 2023.
Although Formula 1 is moving so fast, it could be difficult to come back as you are no longer in the public eye. Ask Nico Hulkenberg!
rally
The Arctic Lapland Rally has been a favorite of Bottas in the off-season since 2019. He won a stage and finished fifth overall in his first year.
In 2020 Bottas took part in the Arctic Lapland Rally again, where he drove a Citroën DS3 WRC and finished in the top ten. A year later he took a class podium and finished sixth overall.
Bottas has spoken many times about how rallying has helped improve his skills for F1.
Before the Arctic Rally 2021, Bottas said: “I always knew that if I had no other commitments, I wanted to do it again, because I’ve done it twice now and it’s such a big challenge and so much fun for me. The streets are really nice and it’s just a nice relaxed event. I really enjoyed driving on ice and snow and being on the wintry roads.
“When I do a rally, I always have the feeling that it supports something else in terms of your driving skills. I think it’s important to be in control of the car during the winter break, so it’s definitely an advantage for me. “
It is clear that rallying is a great passion for Bottas and a potential career path should his time in F1 come to an end in December.
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