Valtteri Bottas has already turned down a new job offer (Image: Getty)
has already turned down a full-season programme for the 2025 season as he looks to keep himself in the conversation for an F1 return in 2026.
The Finnish racer was dropped by Sauber in favour of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, leaving him without a drive in 2025. However, with General Motors-Cadillac joining the grid in 2026 and plenty of drivers out of contract come the end of next season, Bottas fancies his chances of returning to F1.
Bottas has already revealed interest in an IndyCar career, but with a return to former team on the cards in a reserve capacity, the 35-year-old is expected to remain in the paddock in 2025.
“It’s a conscious decision, I think it just comes too quick,” he said in Qatar, ruling out a full-time transition to another series in 2025.
“Let’s say, for example, jumping into a full IndyCar season after 12 years of F1, I just feel like it comes a bit too quick because it’s a lot of hard work and a lot of familiarisation to be done and all these things. So yeah, I’d rather take just a bit of time to figure out what’s next and go from there.”
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Valtteri Bottas will not be in IndyCar full-time next season (Image: Getty)
Bottas hasn’t ruled out one-off appearances, including a tilt at the legendary Indianapolis 500. However, while he has been offered a full-season deal for next season, an Indy 500 entry is yet to be agreed.
“Not yet,” he revealed. “I did get a solid offer for ’25 full season, but Indy 500 only, we haven’t really gone into details, but like I said, first I need to fix what is the actual day job for ’25 and go from there.”
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