The last significant vacancy for the 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping into a two-way contest between experienced driver Valtteri Bottas and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
Earlier reports suggested that Bottas, 34, was at risk of losing his seat at Audi-owned Sauber, prompting speculation that he had entered preliminary discussions with IndyCar teams.
When asked during the Baku Grand Prix if those talks were still ongoing, the Finn responded simply: "Not anymore."
Bottas also confirmed with a quick "yes" when asked if he remained 99 percent confident of staying with Sauber after his contract expires at the end of 2024.
"I shouldn't give too much away, but that's the current status, even though there's still plenty to discuss. But we're moving in the right direction," Bottas disclosed, adding that he has been in frequent contact with his new team principal, Mattia Binotto.
"We've had a few litres of coffee," Bottas joked, adding, "and we're still negotiating, things are progressing and I'm still positive about Formula 1, but obviously both sides need to be happy."
It's thought that Binotto is holding off on making a final decision, as there could soon be some unexpected names entering the driver market, including Liam Lawson.
But according to the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, Lawson is likely to be confirmed by Red Bull's junior team, AlphaTauri, possibly as early as this weekend in Azerbaijan.
Aside from Bottas, the other serious contender to partner Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber next year is impressive rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, a 19-year-old Brazilian and a frontrunner in Formula 2.
Managed by Fernando Alonso's A14 Management group, Bortoleto has reportedly been given permission by the McLaren development program to negotiate with Audi.
"Let's see what the future brings," Alonso said when asked about Bortoleto's prospects in Baku, adding, "But, you know, it's a matter of time before he gets to F1."
