Valtteri Bottas has expressed disinterest in a potential return to Mercedes for the upcoming year if the offer is limited to a single-year contract.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Bottas is likely to depart Sauber at the end of this season, especially with new owner Audi seemingly not considering the 34-year-old Finn for its long-term factory plans.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, set to forcibly depart Ferrari at the end of the year, remains available. He has reportedly declined an offer from Audi and missed several deadlines set by Williams' James Vowles.
"He is still probably hoping for Mercedes," 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve disclosed to OLBG, "that (Kimi) Antonelli is not good enough, so the seat is available for a few years."
Despite Toto Wolff's apparent readiness to negotiate a long-standing position for Max Verstappen, only a year-long contract seems to be on the table for Sainz or any other potential candidates.
Former Mercedes driver Bottas has publicly stated his disinterest in such short-term arrangements. "Filling a place for one year, I don't think that is what I want or need at the moment," he explained to the Mirror.
"For next year, I want something multi-year with a clear plan for the years ahead. If I just do one year, then you're back to square one again and looking at what's next."
"I'm good friends with Toto so, of course, we've talked about everything," Bottas continued.
Now, Bottas is seen as a likely candidate to join Williams, another of his previous teams. "I'm fine with the situation - it's been interesting," he remarked. "But I want to get it sorted soon. Then I'll be even happier again."
Ralf Schumacher recently cautioned Sainz against risking his entire Formula 1 career by waiting for a Mercedes slot, while teams like Williams, Sauber, and Alpine have presented solid proposals.
Villeneuve concurred: "Playing the waiting game, you could find out you are the last one standing and the last one standing is not a positive here.
"At some point, you are bound to annoy other teams who have made you amazing offers. He seemed certain to be joining Williams, and then something happened. But when you get a good offer and delay and delay, at some point you will p*ss people off and they won't want him. You end up signing very late and you make it obvious to that team that they were only your third choice," Villeneuve further added.
