Future Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas was unaware of any links between the team and Andretti before signing for them, he revealed.
Andretti is believed to be pursuing a takeover of Sauber, which runs Alfa Romeo’s F1 team. Details emerged during the Turkish Grand Prix two weeks ago. Bottas’ move to the team from Mercedes was announced in September, but first reported by RaceFans in July.Bottas said “I wasn’t aware during the negotiations about it” when asked about Andretti’s potential move to acquire the team. “To be honest I don’t know much details, if there’s actually a big chance for that happening or not.
“I’m sure the people who will make the decision, they will know what is going to be best for the team in the long-term. I don’t have much say on who owns the team and with how many percentage, that’s how it goes, that’s the business side of Formula 1.
“But as long as the team still has the right people, key people in there, that I believe can do a great job, that’s the main thing for me.”
Bottas said he would welcome the arrival of the team run by IndyCar champion and former F1 driver Michael Andretti. “Why not?” he said.
“Obviously as a driver for the team in the future it would be, before that, nice to know a bit more about the plans for the future. But why not?”
Bottas will replace Kimi Raikkonen, who is retiring from F1 at the end of the year. Antonio Giovinazzi’s future at the team is uncertain, and he is also unaware of a potential change in ownership.
“For sure it’s a big name, it’s a great name, but I don’t know more than this,” he said. “We’ll see what will happen but it’s not in my hands.”
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SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
21st October 2021, 22:28
I don’t understand why Bottas is staying in F1 in the first place. Sauber or Andretti.
F1 should take example out of MotoGP. Failed drivers should make way for new talent. “The pinnacle of motorsport” should consist out of the best of the best. Currently, I don’t feel it does.
MotoGP has so much talent moving through the ranks and if they don’t deliver they’d be gone in a heartbeat to make way for others. Look at Bottas. Look at Kimi. They have been long overdue. So is Vettel. Not to mention all these pay drivers that hold seats in F1 while more talented drivers are in FE.
minnis (@minnis)
21st October 2021, 22:38
@spafrancorchamps whilst I agree with your sentiment, the three drivers you quote as “not delivering” have five World championships and 88 wins between them. That’s nearly one tenth of all grands prix ever raced having been won by one of those three. Whilst Bottas clearly is the weakest link out of the three, he has still not fared too badly against the most successful driver in F1 history.
stefano (@alfa145)
22nd October 2021, 0:36
I would be scared to be a senior working for your company, if you managed one
Balue (@balue)
22nd October 2021, 6:24
@spafrancorchamps With his experience, more than likely Bottas will be better than most rookies, and will obviously also have value in knowing how the most dominating team in the history of F1 operates.
Matthijs (@matthijs)
22nd October 2021, 7:57
@spafrancorchamps I agree that Raikkonen is well past his prime, and so is Vettel unfortunately. So eventually they should make way for new talent. But when you compare it with MotoGP, then why is Rossi still around? Isn’t he the Raikkonen 2021 or the Schumacher 2012 of MotoGP?
I feel that the current grid of F1 has a few drivers that perhaps should retire, but on the other hand the grid on average is extremely talented. There aren’t many other drivers outside F1 that would do better.
MacLeod (@macleod)
22nd October 2021, 7:59
Like what Red Bull did but in the end that isn’t ideal as they had problems to get a decent driver in their car.
Jere (@jerejj)
22nd October 2021, 7:34
Of course, he didn’t since the rumors started later than he signed.
Jere (@jerejj)
22nd October 2021, 7:36
Didn’t know
Qeki (@qeki)
22nd October 2021, 13:52
I wonder if Liberty had anything to do with this
Drive to survive has rised the interest of F1 in US
Second race in America (third in planning)
Andretti name coming back to F1?
Young american talent (C.Herta) is tipped to become the first american F1 driver since Alexander Rossi Brazil 2015