Bottas acknowledges that July is his 'deadline' for a return in 2026.

      "These matters should be resolved here during July."

      July is set to be a pivotal month for Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish racer has acknowledged. The 35-year-old lost his seat with Sauber at the end of last year and returned to Mercedes, where he had previously won 10 Grand Prix races alongside Lewis Hamilton. However, Bottas holds only a reserve driver position this year, making sure to attend all the Grand Prix events with the aim of rejoining the grid in 2026. He maintains that his motivation remains high.

      "Because it's constantly on my mind, my motivation is naturally elevated," he told Ilta Sanomat at the Austrian GP venue. "I want to make a comeback and I will do everything I can to achieve that. It's a straightforward way to keep my motivation intact."

      Bottas, who will turn 36 in August, recently stirred attention with a social media post featuring him caressing the 'nice, free seat' of a Cadillac road car. He believes that the timing of F1's 2026 regulations is advantageous. "There will be new cars, new engines, and slightly smaller tires," Bottas stated. "There are many variables, making it difficult to predict who will succeed and who won't. But I feel this presents a favorable opportunity for a new team to enter."

      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff mentioned just days ago that if Bottas fails to secure a return in 2026, he could envision the Finnish driver in Indycar or Le Mans. Bottas acknowledges that July is a decisive month for him. "That's a reality," he remarked, in reference to the August break that follows. "That's when the deadline arrives. These matters should be finalized during July. July begins next week, so it promises to be an intriguing month."

      He has been closely associated with F1’s new eleventh team, Cadillac, but Bottas admits that nothing is finalized yet. "In this sport, a contract remains distant until signatures are on the paper," Bottas noted. "You can’t claim to be close or far away since you can't predict what will happen. However, my position should theoretically be solid due to my experience, as there are definitely teams in need of it."

      Bottas is also keeping in shape both on the racetrack and in the gym, including biking hundreds of kilometers each week, which has become his latest passion. "Following the Silverstone weekend, I've been scheduled for two consecutive days of testing with Mercedes in Jerez," Bottas disclosed. "A two-day test like that at this time is quite beneficial, and it's refreshing to have the opportunity to drive properly."

      Regarding the well-known strong necks of F1 drivers, Bottas asserts that his remains robust. "After 12 years in F1, those muscles don’t just disappear overnight," he quipped.