Valtteri Bottas may need to keep his racing career going by transitioning to Indycar for 2025.
This is the opinion of fellow Finn and former F1 driver Mika Salo, who believes there's a strong chance that Bottas, now 34, will not be retained by the Audi-owned Sauber team.
Audi has secured permission from McLaren's driver development program to enter negotiations with Gabriel Bortoleto, an impressive F2 frontrunner who is managed by Fernando Alonso's A14 management company.
Despite this, Bottas confirmed in Baku on Thursday that he remains in discussions with new Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto and is 99 percent confident about reaching a deal.
However, issues may arise due to Bottas' high salary expectations and his insistence on securing more than a one-year contract.
"It's a big topic in the Baku paddock," said veteran Swiss journalist Roger Benoit from Blick.
"Apparently, the last-placed driver in the world championship is still asking for too much money for a new deal because of his experience. And this is despite being very well paid over the past three years," he added.
Salo agrees that Bottas has struggled to make an impact in 2024. "Bottas' performances this year are miserable but it's because of the car. Valtteri has a past that everyone knows about," he told the Finnish newspaper Ilta Sanomat.
"He is a skilled driver and a good team player, and that works in his favour," Salo continued. "He's not cheap, though, and Bortoleto would certainly bring something with him," he added, referring to Brazilian sponsorship backing.
"The situation is very tough for Valtteri.
"I can't say for sure what's happening, but if I were the team boss, I'd prefer to go with an experienced driver."
The 57-year-old, who also raced for Sauber in the past, believes Bottas should reconsider his stance on demanding a contract longer than one year.
"A one-year contract with a new team would be bad," he said, "but not with a team you already know."
When asked about Bottas' claim of being 99 percent confident about securing a Sauber deal, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi remained cautious at Baku.
"We are evaluating all the options to find the best balance between short-term experience and medium to long-term, maybe younger talent," he explained.
"There are potential candidates on both sides. Valtteri is a strong driver for our team," Bravi added. "We know him very well, and of course, he's high on our list. But other opportunities exist."
Bottas admits that if he is passed over for the final spot on the 2025 grid, he would prioritise Indycar as his 'plan B'. "What is certain is that I want to keep competing, as I have done my whole life," he said.
"Plan B would be Indycar. Try to win the championship there for a few years. But that's not the scenario I'm focusing on now."
Salo believes it would be a good fallback for Bottas.
"I follow Indycar myself," he said. "There are good races and the cars are all equal, although those oval tracks are tough. But I do believe that Valtteri would quickly find a place to drive there."
