See him round we’ll, with Bottas set to journey extensively to races with Mercedes subsequent season. It’s all too simple to get forgotten as soon as you allow the paddock, so Bottas’ presence will assist preserve him within the dialog for the racing return he craves in 2026.
He’ll even be returning to a crew that love him – and with whom he had an unbelievable relationship. That heat, welcoming environment will do wonders for his mindset and confidence after the rejection of this season – whereas additionally permitting him to really feel helpful through the use of his in depth expertise (he’s began 246 Grands Prix) to assist get the crew again to the sharp finish – having fallen again to P4.
“I simply wish to really feel the success once more, I wish to really feel the rewards of onerous work,” he stated. “We labored onerous for 3 years however there haven’t been that many rewards.
“I really feel like I’m driving in addition to ever, I’m as match as ever – which is why I’m not accomplished but. By way of health, I’m at my peak. I don’t really feel any degradation within the automobile in any sense. So, with the suitable environment and the suitable equipment, I nonetheless imagine I can do nice issues.”
Bottas is satisfied he has one thing to supply a crew in a racing capability going ahead – and with two further seats probably out there in 2026 with Cadillac/GM having just lately reached an settlement in precept to change into the eleventh F1 crew from subsequent yr, the Finn is optimistic we’ll see him again behind the wheel in anger.
“I feel there might be alternatives,” he stated. “Subsequent yr, who is aware of what occurs, however realistically 2026, which must be my goal, issues are nonetheless huge open and we’ve an eleventh crew becoming a member of the game, which is absolutely thrilling.”
