Valtteri Bottas: Not Done With Formula 1, But Will It Be With Red Bull?

As the 2024 Formula 1 Silly Season gains steam, one name unexpectedly surging back into the spotlight is Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas. Out of a race-winning seat since leaving Mercedes at the end of 2021, Bottas is refusing to let his F1 journey end quietly. Recent comments and rumors point to an openness to take on one of the sport’s most high-profile and challenging assignments—the Red Bull Racing ‘second seat’ alongside Max Verstappen.

But as Bottas courts a return to the front, questions surface: Is Red Bull finally ready for an experienced partner for their star driver? And, more pointedly, why hasn’t a serious approach been made for Bottas, a proven performer and former title contender?

A Career Built on Consistency—and Resilience

Between 2017 and 2021, Bottas was a pillar of consistency for Mercedes. He entered Q3 in every Grand Prix during that period, claimed 10 wins, and proved a vital supporting act in the team’s five-year stranglehold on both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Though often cast in the shadow of Lewis Hamilton, Bottas delivered when it mattered—particularly in qualifying, and often on race day when team tactics demanded.

Post-Mercedes, a move to Alfa Romeo (now Sauber/Kick Sauber/Audi) offered little in the way of competitive machinery. Bottas himself has called the stint a “dark mark” and admitted it was a mistake. Yet, those struggles reveal little about his actual ability—being more a commentary on team resources and organization than the Finn’s capabilities.

Why Red Bull? And Why Now?

The Red Bull second seat has developed a reputation as one of the toughest jobs in racing. Their car, though dominant under Verstappen, seems uniquely difficult to drive fast—a challenge that has undone talented racers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon before Sergio Perez’s own decline in form. With rumors swirling about Perez’s own future and the emergence of AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson as options, Red Bull’s options are broad but arguably lack experience in high-pressure, championship-challenging environments.

This is where Bottas comes in. His attributes—reliability, speed, and understanding of what it takes to support a championship contender—are precisely what Red Bull needs as they look to sustain their dominance amid the shifting winds of technical regulations and new talent.

Bottas Pitches Himself—and Faces An Uphill Battle

In recent interviews, Bottas has confirmed he put his name forward for a Red Bull seat, only to be turned down. “There are certain persons…within the Red Bull organization that for some reason is not a big fan of mine,” he openly admitted. Red Bull’s historic focus on promoting from within—emphasized by their own junior program and the presence of Tsunoda and Lawson—presents a clear hurdle.

And while Christian Horner has left the door ajar for future changes, hinting that Tsunoda’s position in 2026 is not guaranteed, the current signals from Red Bull are mixed. The Finn’s main selling point—his immense experience and ability to maximize difficult machinery—remains underappreciated or actively overlooked by a team culturally wedded to homegrown talent.

Red Bull’s Dilemma: Youth vs. Experience

Red Bull faces a dilemma: do they promote rising stars like Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad and risk repeating history, or do they break tradition and bring in an outside veteran like Bottas? Hadjar has already outscored Tsunoda in the current campaign, and Lindblad’s form in Formula 2 suggests he’s destined for F1. All signs point to Red Bull promoting from within—potentially moving Hadjar into the main squad, Lindblad into Racing Bulls, and reassessing Tsunoda’s future as the pieces move.

However, as recent driver performance gaps show, throwing young drivers into the deep end of a difficult Red Bull car could jeopardize both their careers and the team’s precious Constructors’ points. Bottas, with over 200 Grand Prix starts, is arguably the most “plug-and-play” option available—low risk, with clear upside.

Alternatives Beckon: Cadillac and Alpine

If Red Bull continues to prefer their youth system, Bottas’ F1 career remains very much in play. The impending arrival of the American Cadillac team offers an appealing blank slate—one Bottas himself described as “motivating and rewarding…because you could start from zero.”

On the flipside, Alpine (with Mercedes engines from 2026) present another option. Their second driver slot is unsettled, with Jack Doohan replaced by Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto this season, and both drivers struggling to provide the consistency Alpine needs for their own recovery. Bottas’s Mercedes connections and experience could serve both team and manufacturer well.

The Reality Check: Is F1 Ready For Bottas’ Return?

Despite being sidelined by evolving team priorities and the youth movement, Bottas remains a wanted commodity. Few drivers combine his technical feedback, adaptability, and humility—a compelling package for both new teams and those seeking to rebuild. His only caveat is the modern F1 environment: “There’s lots of politics…I don’t have tens of millions to pay for a seat,” he recently cautioned, emphasizing the commercial pressures on driver selection.

The Bottom Line

Bottas’s plan A is clear: remain in F1, ideally with a team that recognizes his unique value. Whether that means a shock return to the Red Bull paddock, a leadership role with Cadillac, or a stabilizing hand at Alpine, one thing is certain—Valtteri Bottas is not done with Formula 1. As the 2024-2025 market takes shape, the Finn stands ready for a new challenge, armed with lessons from a career that’s been as turbulent as it has been impressive.

Will Red Bull break with tradition and take the plunge? Or will Bottas instead spearhead a new American project—or help Mercedes power a resurgent Alpine? The answer, as ever in F1, will depend on form, politics, timing—and a little bit of luck.