The Alfa Romeo duo of Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou had their first season with the Hinwil-based outfit in 2022. Bottas spent the previous five seasons with Mercedes whereas it was Zhou’s first ever year in the sport. Both of them have a seat for the 2023 season, but a change in leadership ahead of the start of the campaign might derail their plans.
Bottas has a multi-year contract with Alfa Romeo but Zhou’s deal runs out in 2024. With Andreas Seidl joining the team as CEO of Sauber earlier this week, some questions surrounding their future in the sport have come into question.
Zhou’s arrival in 2022 was largely down to the huge financial backing he brought with him. The Sauber group, which has Alfa Romeo as their title sponsor needed the money, but Audi buying them out for $450 million has changed things. The German manufacturers are reportedly set to take over when the engine freeze ends in 2026. According to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, that is when the team will realize that they don’t need Zhou anymore.
Also read: How 2-time World Champion Max Verstappen stays fit during winter break
Guanyu Zhou and Valtteri Bottas’ futures with Sauber are doubtful
Earlier this week, there was a huge shake-up in the team principals’ market in F1. It started with Fred Vasseur leaving Alfa Romeo to join Ferrari. Soon, it was revealed that Andreas Seidl had parted ways with McLaren, to join the Sauber group, not as a team principal but as CEO.
Seidl’s arrival is set to shake things up, and Bottas’ place is under particular threat. According to Schumacher, Bottas may not stay in the team after 2023, mainly because the name Alfa Romeo may not stay much longer.
“Bottas, one hears a bit, is counted and should not necessarily stay there too long,” he said to Sky Germany. “Until the end of 2023, however, there is not only clarity among the drivers. Because partner Alfa Romeo will also remain the title sponsor in the next season before retiring in 2024.”
Schumacher went on to praise Seidl’s appointment as Sauber boss. The 47-year-old said that the amount of experience his compatriot brings into the team is a huge step in the right direction for them.
Also read: Sergio Perez spends $130,000 to bring gifts for 1400 employees at Red Bull
