Valtteri Bottas says he will look at other options in Formula 1 should he be replaced at Mercedes for 2022.
The Finn’s future at the Brackley-based team does appear very much in doubt, with growing speculation that Williams driver, and Mercedes junior, George Russell is set to partner Lewis Hamilton from next season.
And while Bottas admits his focus, for now, remains very much on Mercedes, he does also want to start the process of sorting out where his future lies.
“Obviously I want to get the understanding from the team, what is the plan, which driver they want in the other car,” he said in Austria.
“Lewis is confirmed, the other seat is still free, so the team needs to decide. I need to have that discussion.”
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Bottas’ options outside Mercedes do appear limited with a return to Williams in a straight swap with Russell or potentially replacing Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo two destinations mentioned.
However, it’s also noted how the Finn enjoys rallying, so could a switch to the WRC be a possibility? Well, not yet.
“I feel like I have many, many years still left in me. I enjoy racing, I love racing, I love F1, so it’s definitely not done to go to another form of sport or motorsport in the coming years,” he claimed.
“If that was the case that I wouldn’t continue with Mercedes. Of course I would look at other options, but it’s not something I need to think about now.
“I also have a good management team, and they haven’t told me anything yet. I don’t know if they’ve been in touch with anyone else, because they know how important it is to focus on this current moment and deliver the best we can, as a team and for me personally.
“The time will be right soon. I don’t know yet which day, which week. But I think yes, we’ll have to look at all the options and the situation as a whole. But for now, I focus on tomorrow.”
As for Russell, he also confirmed that the process of deciding his 2022 seat has yet to begin.
“At the moment I’m just focused on the driving to be honest. No discussions have started at all, just taking it race by race,” he said in Spielberg.
“When the right time comes, we’ll start discussing with myself and my managers and with whatever other party that may be.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has said he will wait until the August summer break to make his decision, but that hasn’t stopped some from suggesting Russell could be confirmed as soon as next week.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if George got the drive next year alongside Lewis at Mercedes,” ex F1 driver turned commentator Martin Brundle told Sky Sports.
“Whether it’ll be announced at Silverstone, if they’re going to do it, why not? It would be the perfect place.”