Valtteri Bottas, a Finnish driver competing for Sauber, has received a penalty that will force him to start at the back of the field in the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint on Saturday. This penalty comes as a result of a collision with Oscar Piastri during the Sprint Qualifying session. Bottas, who initially qualified in 18th position, was taken by surprise when Piastri’s McLaren entered Turn 1 of the Miami International Autodrome circuit. Bottas attempted to close the door on Piastri’s car at the last moment, resulting in contact between the two vehicles. Fortunately, there was no significant damage as a result of the incident. The Stewards, responsible for overseeing the race, determined that the primary responsibility for avoiding such incidents lies with the driver. They also acknowledged that Bottas was driving slowly on the racing line, which contributed to the situation. Bottas, who is working with a new engineer for this race, expressed his frustration over the incident to his team over the radio. The Stewards also recognized that Sauber, Bottas’ team, played a role in the incident and made an error that significantly contributed to the collision. Both drivers involved in the incident were displeased with what occurred.
Bottas appears to be on the verge of being dropped from the Sauber team next year as it prepares for a complete takeover by German automotive giant Audi. The team has already secured Nico Hülkenberg for 2025 and beyond, leaving one spot open for drivers like Carlos Sainz or Esteban Ocon. Bottas seemed unfazed by the announcement during Thursday’s press conference, stating that “He’s German, and Audi has made it clear that they want a German driver, so it’s all good.”
It is worth noting that Bottas’ recent incident during Sprint Qualifying coincides with the introduction of a new engineer, a change that was not within his control. Bottas expressed his thoughts on the matter, saying, “It was quite sudden. Obviously, it’s a Sprint weekend, so working with a new person will not be easy, but I’ll do my best to make the most of it.” Throughout 2024, Bottas has encountered persistent issues with Sauber, ranging from slow pit stops to reliability problems that have cost him valuable points in multiple Grand Prix races. The upcoming race in Miami is expected to present further challenges for him.
Reflecting on the day’s events, Bottas described it as a challenging day in the office. He mentioned getting caught in traffic during his push lap and going off track after a close encounter with a McLaren car, which affected the temperature of his tires. Despite the less than ideal starting positions for the Sprint race, Bottas remains optimistic, stating that there is still much to learn about the car and that they can work towards a better performance in Sunday’s main event.
Time is running out for Bottas to achieve the necessary results that would make him an attractive prospect for other teams in a highly volatile driver market. However, with Sauber’s struggles, it is becoming increasingly challenging for him to showcase his abilities.