Bottas reveals IndyAutomotive swap deal as Indy 500 draws interest

Valtteri Bottas has revealed he has turned down a proposal to drive full-time in IndyAutomotive next season, but insisted he’s open to competing within the Indianapolis 500, although his fundamental goal stays Formula 1.

The 35-year-old will leave Sauber at the top of 2024 and is predicted to switch Mick Schumacher as reserve driver for his former Mercedes squad.

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This is in view of a return to the grid in 2026 in the brand new era of F1 racing, with the introduction of rule changes and the recently announced entry of Cadillac into the market increasing the variety of seats available.

With his deal with maintaining his F1 profession, Bottas has decided to not look elsewhere for a full-time racing program next 12 months and, speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, he explained: “It's a conscious decision, I believe it just comes fast.

“Let's say, for instance, I'm coming right into a full IndyAutomotive season after 12 years in F1 and it just seems like it's coming just a little too quickly since it takes plenty of exertions, plenty of familiarization and so forth.

“So yes, I prefer to take some time to figure out what to do next and go from there.”

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 team KICK Sauber C44

Photo: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Asked if he had any plans for a change in IndyAutomotive, Bottas replied: “Yes, I even have had discussions and approaches at this point. I've made it clear that next 12 months will come just a little too soon.

“2026 remains to be a probability of decline [in] good automobile. My priority remains to be Formula 1. If it's not Formula 1 in 2026, then the longer term is admittedly interesting for me.”

Although Bottas has retired from full-time driving in 2025, there remains to be a probability he could compete in one-off events, starting with a confirmed appearance within the Race of Champions.

“First of all, it depends on whether I will be here for every Grand Prix or not,” he said. “If so, then obviously the choices are just a little less limited.

“I mean, the Indy 500 was at all times on the list, I used to be at all times a fan of V8 supercars and stuff like that. At the moment I'm still quite open and I just must… first I even have to truly resolve what the following move will probably be after which we'll see.

“I haven't been allowed to take part in any rally for the last two years. So it would be nice to get back into it for a little bit and have some fun.”

On whether he received an Indy 500-only offer from the IndyAutomotive team, Bottas replied: “Not yet. I got a solid offer for the entire '25 season, but only for the Indy 500. We haven't really gone into details, but like I said, first I need to figure out what my actual scope of work is in '25 and go from there.”