Valtteri Bottas has made it clear Alfa Romeo is dedicating all their energy towards this year, despite Audi’s imminent arrival in Formula 1 in 2026.
The Swiss-based manufacturer announced their intention to enter F1 at last year’s Belgium Grand Prix, choosing Sauber as its partner.
It means Alfa Romeo exit leave F1 at the end of 2023, with Sauber‘s future in the sport still up in the air before Audi join.
“As a team, we’ve been trying to focus all our energy all the time on Alfa Romeo,” said Bottas exclusively to Total Motorsport.com
“We’ve been really proud partners, so we don’t want to put too much focus yet on what’s next for the team. We want to do well this year.
“So, in that sense, it’s really exciting. Everyone in the team knows that. The future is exciting, and there’s a plan. So that’s always good for a private team as such.
“But yeah, I think it’s obviously great news overall for the whole team in the future. But as I said, that’s still many years ahead.”
No discussions with Audi
Although Audi are already planning ahead for 2026, there have yet to be any hints as to who they may sign, or whether one German driver will join the team.
Bottas’ contract runs out in 2025, and with several drivers on the driver market around the same time, competition for a seat at Audi will be intense.
“There’s been no discussions yet,” said Bottas. “I think everyone in the team is just trying to focus on [Alfa Romeo] now.
“Then we see at some point when it’s the right time.”
