Bottas is 'too occupied' to compete outside of F1 in 2025.

      "F1 is still my main focus"

      Valtteri Bottas states that his contract with Mercedes permits him to compete outside of Formula 1. After losing his Sauber seat at the conclusion of last year, the 10-time grand prix champion returned to Mercedes, where he was notably Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, as a reserve driver. He is now connected with the new Cadillac F1 team for 2026.

      "I hope to get back on the grid," he told automoto.it. "I feel like my journey in this sport isn’t over yet. I still have a few years ahead. That’s the aim. Figuring out how to achieve it is the challenging part."

      At 35, Bottas is frequently seen with his former boss and friend Toto Wolff in the Mercedes garage and is often commended for his role in guiding Hamilton’s young successor, Kimi Antonelli. "He still has plenty to learn," Bottas remarked when discussing the 18-year-old Italian. "There’s a lot to take in, especially on circuits he hasn’t raced before. I can lend my experience for the setup and driving. I do my best to assist him."

      Bottas’s deal with Mercedes requires him to be present at all 24 grand prix events, but he indicates that the contract also offers him some flexibility. "The first step is to be here with an excellent team," he said regarding his ambition to return to F1. "I stay informed about what’s happening in the environment, especially with teams gearing up for 2026. F1 is my main priority," Bottas affirmed, "but contractually, I can also participate in some races during the season. For now, I’ve been too occupied to do that, but I feel like my driving career isn’t over yet. If it weren’t for F1, I would race somewhere else."

      After Jeddah, Bottas headed to Australia to meet up with his girlfriend Tiffany, and they both participated in the 100km gravel cycling world championship event near Adelaide. With his passion for cycling evolving into a significant skill over recent years, Bottas believes that, even in his mid-30s, he still possesses the ability to compete at the highest level in Formula 1. "Why not?" the Finn responded when asked about his fitness for F1 as he approaches 40 in 2029. "I feel like I’m in top shape both physically and mentally."