Bottas Calls Sauber the Team He Was 'Happy to Leave'

Valtteri Bottas didn't hold back, naming his former team, Sauber, as the one he was 'quite happy to leave' after a challenging three-year stint. The Finn's candid comments came during a YouTube appearance with his new Cadillac teammate, Sergio Perez, highlighting the relief he felt moving on from the Hinwil-based outfit at the end of the 2024 season.

Why it matters:

Bottas's public admission sheds light on the internal struggles and underperformance that have plagued Sauber in recent years. For a driver of his caliber, coming from a top team like Mercedes, the experience was clearly a letdown, making his move to the new Cadillac project for 2026 a fresh start and a chance to rekindle his competitive spirit in a more ambitious environment.

The details:

• The Source: Bottas made the remarks on the 'Hot Ones Versus' show, prompted by Perez to name a team he was glad to depart.
• The Quote: "Sauber F1 Team. I was actually quite happy to leave at the end because of the circumstances — although I do have some good memories as well," Bottas stated with his trademark candor.
• Career Path: After being replaced at Mercedes by George Russell, Bottas spent three seasons (2022-2024) at Sauber alongside Zhou Guanyu. He then served as a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2025 before securing a full-time race seat with the incoming Cadillac team for 2026.
• Familiar Teammate: His move to Cadillac will see him reunite with Zhou Guanyu, his former teammate at Sauber.

What's next:

Now, Bottas is set to begin a new chapter with the Cadillac F1 team, a project entering the sport in 2026. Reuniting with Zhou Guanyu, he'll be looking to put his Sauber experience behind him and help build a competitive culture from the ground up. His comments suggest a renewed motivation, eager to prove he's still a top-tier driver in a more positive and ambitious team environment.