Bottas and his administration workforce knew Bortoleto provided a big risk, so that they started engaged on a back-up plan within the type of a reserve function at Mercedes in parallel. It’s believed the 2 events have been in talks for a number of weeks.
Bottas has an amazing relationship with Mercedes and boss Toto Wolff after spending 5 years with the outfit. Throughout this time, he secured all 10 of his Grand Prix wins and 58 of his 67 podiums.
Somebody along with his immense expertise and drive can be helpful to the eight-time world champions, who’re going by means of a tough patch to sit down fourth within the pecking order behind McLaren, Ferrari and Purple Bull.
READ MORE: Who’s Gabriel Bortoleto? Every part you want to find out about Kick Sauber’s new recruit
Apart from being a robust possibility if Mercedes wanted a substitute, his suggestions and efforts within the simulator can be invaluable.
For Bottas, such a job will preserve him seen within the paddock and within the dialog as he targets a return to a race seat in 2026. He can keep sharp within the simulator and there might doubtlessly be alternatives for him to drive F1 equipment.
Now that Sauber have made their transfer, sources say talks between Mercedes and Bottas are set to speed up within the coming days and weeks.