Valtteri Bottas is not done with Formula 1—not yet. The Finnish motorsport icon, now 35, may be off the grid in 2025 after Sauber’s reshuffle under Audi’s ownership, but his fire for racing burns brighter than ever. In a candid interview, Bottas revealed that while he’s currently on reserve duty at Mercedes, he’s itching to return to the racetrack and is already exploring what could be the next thrilling chapter in his career.

Having won 10 Grand Prix races and helped deliver five constructors’ championships during his time at Mercedes, Bottas has nothing left to prove—except, perhaps, to himself. “I miss the racing as a whole… I still feel like I’ve got a good few years of racing in me,” he told Mirror Sport. His passion for speed and competition hasn’t faded, and his desire to rejoin the F1 grid in 2026 is stronger than ever.

One path back to the cockpit could come via Cadillac, the newest team set to enter Formula 1. Bottas has confirmed talks with the American manufacturer and appears genuinely intrigued by the opportunity to build something from the ground up. “What we’ve seen so far looks like a really cool and interesting project. As a driver, everything is new, so you can actually make a really big impact,” he said, clearly energized by the idea of shaping a team’s legacy.

While more than a dozen drivers are reportedly eyeing the coveted Cadillac seats, the former Mercedes driver believes his vast experience gives him an edge. “I’ve been part of winning teams. I’ve seen what it actually takes for a team to succeed,” Bottas confidently stated. Indeed, few on the current grid match his blend of experience, skill, and team-first mentality.

However, should the Cadillac opportunity or any other F1 seat not materialize, the Finnish driver isn’t planning to sit idle on the sidelines again. Bottas is already weighing up a Plan B, and one name has come up more than once—IndyCar. According to the ex-Sauber driver, discussions have taken place, and he wouldn’t hesitate to make the jump if the right opportunity arises. “F1 is the priority, but I’ve learned you need to have a Plan B. I’m not doing that mistake again.”

Despite his decade-long F1 career filled with accolades, Bottas openly admits he doesn’t feel complete. “I’ve achieved some cool stuff. But there’s still this hunger in me that I want something more,” he confessed.

Whether it’s Cadillac in Formula 1 or a bold leap into American open-wheel racing, one thing is clear: Valtteri Bottas is not ready to hang up his helmet just yet.