Devastating ‘cowardly’ statement that Audi will complete F1 line-up for 2025

Audi has reportedly completed its Formula 1 line-up for 2025, with the Hinwil team having re-signed Valtteri Bottas “for one year”, according to team principal Swiss publication Blick.

Audi, which will continue under the Sauber name next season before changing its team name in 2026, was one of the first teams to make its voice heard in the driver market when it signed Nico Hulkenberg in April.

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They are now the last team outside Red Bull to complete their line-up and it is reported that Bottas will remain with the team.

Despite the Finn sitting 22nd in the drivers’ standings when Formula 1 usually fields 20 drivers, Blick says he has been granted a stay of execution and has signed a new one-year contract.

The Swiss newspaper was informed of this by the team boss, who told Roger Benoit in Singapore: “Do you know that Bottas has signed another year?”

The article emphasizes that this is a trustworthy person, as he had previously passed on the news about Audi’s takeover of Sauber.

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However, Benoit is clearly unhappy with Audi/Sauber’s decision to keep the 35-year-old instead of giving the young team a chance.

“Audi-Sauber apparently takes the cowardly route of transfers for 2025 – and opens a retirement home in Hinwil! Valtteri Bottas reportedly signs new contract with racing team,” Benoit wrote.

He added: “What a brilliant Italian gesture by new boss Mattia Binotto (54) with in-house lawyer and deputy team principal Alessandro Alunni-Bravi.”

The team is said to be considering Formula 2 driver and McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto, with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella giving the Brazilian his blessing if he were offered the Sauber job.

“If Binotto came to me… if you have that kind of talent, you definitely can’t take away his chance in Formula One,” Stella said in Singapore on Thursday.

“At the same time, we will certainly be interested in finding a way to keep him within the McLaren family because I think he is a talent that could prove important for McLaren in the future.”

However, a few days later, it seems that Binotto and company have decided to go for experience over youth.

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