Bottas keen for Audi F1 drive amid 'unfinished' business

Valtteri Bottas has voiced his interest in being offered one of therace seats at the Audi Formula 1 squad. Audi is set to enter F1 forthe 2026 campaign when new technical regulations come into play,changing both the chassis and power unit side of the cars. TheGerman manufacturer will take a majority share in the Sauber Groupwhich will operate this year and next as the Stake F1 Team. Bottaswill compete in the upcoming campaign with the Stake outfit, histhird season with the Hinwil-based squad after joining it in 2022when it operated under the Alfa Romeo moniker. Speaking toMotorsport.com , Bottas asserted that he is keen to be involved inAudi's F1 project. “F1 is the number one thing for me,” he said.“I'm still hungry to get back on the podium eventually. The Audiproject could be the next opportunity. “From my understanding,they're going to make decisions of the years ahead early [this]year. So not yet. I'm going to have those discussions in the firstquarter of [this] year.” Unfinished business Bottas joined hiscurrent team following several years at Mercedes where he partneredLewis Hamilton. Since joining the team that formerly operated asAlfa Romeo, Bottas has enjoyed little success as it has beenlocated towards the back of the field. RacingNews365 understandsthat Nico Hulkenberg is a primary candidate for Audi's F1 projectwhich will commence in two years. As Bottas aims to continue his F1adventure, the Finn has declared his desire to complete“unfinished” business. “Being part of Audi would be my number onepriority and preference,” he said. “But if for some reason not,then absolutely I would talk to [other teams]. “I want to be aroundbecause I feel like I still have some unfinished things in thissport.”