Bottas and his administration crew knew Bortoleto supplied a major risk, in order that they started engaged on a back-up plan within the type of a reserve function at Mercedes in parallel. It’s believed the 2 events have been in talks for a number of weeks.
Bottas has an incredible relationship with Mercedes and boss Toto Wolff after spending 5 years with the outfit. Throughout this time, he secured all 10 of his Grand Prix wins and 58 of his 67 podiums.
Somebody along with his immense expertise and drive can be helpful to the eight-time world champions, who’re going via a troublesome patch to take a seat fourth within the pecking order behind McLaren, Ferrari and Crimson Bull.
READ MORE: Who is Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know about Kick Sauber’s new recruit
Other than being a robust possibility if Mercedes wanted a substitute, his suggestions and efforts within the simulator can be invaluable.
For Bottas, such a task will preserve him seen within the paddock and within the dialog as he targets a return to a race seat in 2026. He can keep sharp within the simulator and there may doubtlessly be alternatives for him to drive F1 equipment.
Now that Sauber have made their transfer, sources say talks between Mercedes and Bottas are set to speed up within the coming days and weeks.
