Valtteri Bottas has said Red Bull are aware of his desire to race in 2025, stressing that their RB21 car needs an experienced driver to support Max Verstappen.
The Mercedes test and reserve driver, without a full-time seat since 2013, is also linked to Cadillac but remains open to Red Bull.
“They know I’m keen to race and that I’d be available for next year,” Bottas said on the Beyond the Grid podcast. “But I don’t know their mindset. It’s a tough one because their car seems tricky to drive. Max is pushing it to the limit, but others alongside him haven’t looked as strong.
“I wonder if that car, to be driven fast, needs someone with experience.”
Red Bull have struggled to find a stable partner for Verstappen, with their second seat proving a persistent challenge.
Sergio Perez held the role for four seasons but was replaced after a significant drop in performance last year. Neither Liam Lawson nor Yuki Tsunoda, drivers from Red Bull’s junior program, have emerged as clear long-term solutions.
Promising talents like Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls and F2’s Arvid Lindblad remain in development, but their inexperience may not meet Red Bull’s immediate needs.
Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner, built a reputation as a reliable second driver during his five-year stint at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton. This aligns with Red Bull’s apparent need for a steady hand to support Verstappen’s title ambitions.
However, Bottas revealed that talks for a 2025 seat with Red Bull were brief and stalled due to resistance within the team. “It was shut down quite quickly,” he said. “There’s a person in their organization who, for some reason, isn’t a big fan of mine. That’s life.”
While Bottas did not name the individual, speculation points to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
As Red Bull weigh their options, the focus shifts to the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, set for June 15, where teams will tackle the demanding 4.361-kilometer Circuit Gilles Villeneuve over 70 laps. For Bottas, the race weekend offers another chance to showcase his value, even from the sidelines, as he vies for a return to the grid.
