A long-time Formula 1 star has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull next season.
Valtteri Bottas is back at Mercedes after a stint with Sauber, but his current role as a reserve driver is a far cry from his previous frontline position. While Bottas stands ready to leap into action for teams like McLaren and Williams should they require an emergency driver, his ultimate ambition is to secure a return to the F1 grid on a full-time basis.
The emergence of new teams like Cadillac could provide just the platform Bottas needs, as they actively seek at least one seasoned driver to join their ranks.
The Bottas Bid for Red Bull
As a ten-time Grand Prix winner, Bottas undoubtedly brings a wealth of experience. Yet, his gaze seems fixed on another tantalizing prize. Recently, while discussing the challenges faced by young pilots Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, Bottas didn’t shy away from subtly suggesting that he could be the solution to their struggles.
Bottas’s Take on Red Bull’s Struggles
“It’s a tough scenario,” he remarked during an appearance on the Beyond the Grid podcast. “It seems like it’s not easy for the young drivers. Obviously, Max is doing the job, pushing the car beyond its limits, but those alongside him haven’t looked great.”
Bottas expressed a thoughtful speculation: “I wonder if navigating this car optimally requires a driver with more experience.” He continued, indicating that he remains eager to race, adding, “They know I’m available for next year; it’s just about their perspective on the matter.”
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Red Bull’s Driver Dilemma
Now, the burning question remains: Will Red Bull shake up their driver lineup yet again? Just two races into the 2025 season, they executed a surprising swap, replacing Lawson with Tsunoda, who had originally been overlooked for a promotion at the end of the 2024 season.
Unfortunately for Tsunoda, his performance has hardly improved. Currently sitting 15th in the drivers’ championship with only 10 points—seven of which were scored while driving for Red Bull—he faces stiff competition from Isack Hadjar, a driver on the Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls, who has amassed 21 points without even racing for the main team this season.
The Challenge of the RB21
It’s evident that the Red Bull car has posed significant challenges over the past year. Even seasoned competitor Sergio Perez struggled with dismal performances toward the end of 2024. Currently, only Max Verstappen seems capable of extracting true performance from the RB21, albeit he finds himself trailing 49 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri after nine races.
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The Bottom Line
Bottas’s insightful comments and keen desire to return to competitive racing could place him at the forefront of Red Bull’s considerations as 2026 approaches. Will the iconic team opt for a seasoned veteran like Bottas, or will they continue to invest in young talent? The drama unfolds as we eagerly anticipate what Red Bull will do next in their ever-evolving saga.
