“Though it’s time to move on, I’ll always carry a piece of this team with me,” says Valtteri Bottas

As Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber announces its driver line-up for 2025 and beyond, the team extends its heartfelt gratitude to Valtteri Bottas. These past three years together have brought profound changes to the organization, marked by remarkable achievements.

Valtteri, who joined the team following a successful five-year stint with Mercedes, where he secured ten race wins, made an immediate impact on the Hinwil-based squad. His contributions were instrumental in a series of successes during the 2022 season, culminating in a sixth-place finish in the championship.

Within the driver line-up, Valtteri has been a driving force, elevating both his teammate and the team with his unparalleled experience, enthusiasm, invaluable technical insights and fighting spirit.

Valtteri Bottas: “A situation like this is never easy for anyone. But after all the good and in-depth discussions we had in the past weeks, we realised that the conditions to grow this project together were not met. These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I’m grateful for the joint experiences as well as the trust and support I’ve felt every step of the way. Though it’s time to move on, I’ll always carry a piece of this team with me, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us both.”

Mattia Binotto, COO & CTO, Sauber Motorsport AG: “We extend our deepest gratitude to Valtteri for the past three years together. He has been the embodiment of professionalism, using his vast experience to support the team’s growth. Valtteri’s dedication and approach have been invaluable during a pivotal time in our history, and the memories of these years will stay with us for a long time. In considering our driver line-up for the coming seasons, Valtteri was unquestionably a key candidate. With his fighting spirit, he frequently pushed the car beyond its performance limits. However, a decision had to be made. After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that final conditions could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways. Valtteri will always have an open door here in Hinwil.”