The writing is on the wall for 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Valtteri Bottas following news 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Nico Hulkenberg will become Audi’s first F1 driver in 2025.

It comes as no surprise with rumour𝔉s of Hulkenberg joining the Swiss outfit a regular occurrence in recent motnsh.

Since returning to F1 with Haas in 2023, Hulkenberg has been one of the midfield’s sta💞r performers, particularly for his dazzling qualifying displays.

Whil❀e there is still one seat available at Sauber next year, CEO Andreas Seidl has Carlos Sainz top of his wishlist.

Seidl is prepared to wait for Sainz as the Spaniard is keen to see whether Red Bull retain 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Sergio Perez or ♚Mercedes have an opening if they decide against Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

🌌This leaves Bottas - and Zhou Guanyu out of a d♊rive for 2025.

In Bottas’ case at least, it d🐭oes seem unjustified given that the Finn’s performances so far in 2024 have been close to his best.

Bottas is on a run of nine consecutive wins over Zhou in qualifying - only 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Alex Albon and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen are on better streaks against their teammate - and the former Mercedes driver would have likely scored points on at least two occasions this year had it not been for poor reliability or slow pit💟 stops.

The true level of Bottas’ performances have been masked by Sauber’s lack of pace over the last 13 months, while Zhou isn♏’t a competitive benchmark to compare 🃏him with.

Staying at Sauber seems to be completely off the table, with them eyeing up Alpine duo 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Pierre Gasly or 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Esteban Ocon if Sainz decides a move ⛄to Switzerland isn’t for him.

So where could Bottas end up?

Haas

Haas’ look ce🦋rtain to be signing Oliver Bearman for 2025.

Bearman starred in his one-off appearance for Saudi A🎃rabia, combined with Haas’ Ferrari links.

Along💜side Bearman, Haas will be keen to have an experienced driver alongside him to lead the team -🍸 but also nurture him.

Haas could retain 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Kevin Magnussen🌌, who has been racing for them since 2017 (2021 aside).

If fancy a change - and an upgrade on Magnussen - then Bottas would be a good cho꧒ice.

Bottas is a great team player an🦄d helped Zhou a lot during his rookie year back in 2022.

Bottas has the ed🐻ge on Magnussen in💫 terms of pace while lacking the Dane’s combative nature.

Williams

A return to back where hiꦯs F1 career started could be a possibility for🎃 Bottas.

The Finn enjoyed four great seasons at Williams beforဣe moving to Mercedes in 2017.

Bottas helped Williams to two consecutive third-place finish𒊎es in the constructors’ championship, scoring nine podiums with him.

It would be a poetic end to his F1 career, but more important꧋ly, would give Will𓃲iams an incredibly strong line-up in the midfield.

Bottas alongside Albon would be an incredibly potent pair🐎ing, especially with the midfield being so close.

His chances of retur🍸ning to Williams will ultimately come ꦉdown to whether Andrea Kimi Antonelli is handed the Mercedes drive or not.

Should Mercedes feel that Antonelli is not ready, he will probably be placed in Williams like 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:George Russell was for a few years.

Alpine

A leftfield option for Bottas could be Alpine.

Ocon and G🧸asly are reportedly unhappy with the ⭕situation at Alpine and are assessing options elsewhere.

The duo ▨are also on Audi’s wishlist for 202💜5, meaning a vacancy could open.

Whi🗹le Alpine’s on-track performance is below-par, they are still a works outfit.

Ultimately Bottas to Alpine comes꧟ down to whether Gasly or Ocon decide to jump ship.

Retirement

Bottas has achieved mor🐟e than most in his F1 career.

10 victories, 20 pole positions and 67 podiums is an impressive set of statistics - what else is there le♐ft to achieve?

A return to a top team is ౠincredibly unlikely and by joi♊ning Williams or Haas, Bottas would be set for a few more years in the midfield.

Given that he’s only 34, and remains blisteringly quick, a move to anotheꦯr motorsport category or simply focused on his passions outside of F1 - coffee and cycling - could be the best move for him.