Valtteri Bottas was observed during a lone visit to the Williams motorhome at Imola.

After Nico Hulkenberg secured his own future with Audi-owned Sauber starting in 2025, and with the team also showing interest in Carlos Sainz, Bottas is openly exploring his options for a new Formula 1 deal.

"We are still talking," remarked the 34-year-old Finn earlier at Imola. "I don't think the team will make a decision soon."

"Yes, I'm obviously trying to stay in the picture here. I know where I stand and I'm weighing all the options. You can't bet on one horse anyway."

Representatives of Bottas' management have been present at various races lately, though Bottas himself remains uncertain about his placement for the following season.

"I don't know. That's an honest answer," he disclosed. "There are no agreements and I haven't signed anything."

At Imola on Saturday, an image taken by F1 photographer Evgeniy Safronov showed Bottas entering the Williams motorhome alone, unaccompanied by his manager.

"They do this when all that's left is to simply sign," he commented on the Telegram social network.

It has been reported that Bottas met with Williams' boss James Vowles, with whom he shares a history from their Mercedes tenure. Bottas also initiated his F1 career with the team based in Grove.

Later, he humorously told reporters that he visited Vowles after finding the Sauber motorhome had "run out of coffee."

Talks appear to be progressing with Alpine as well, especially as they might lose both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly soon.

Bottas expressed on Thursday his desire for a stable, long-term project.

"I want a long-term project with clear goals and respect for what I can achieve," he stated. "The faster the car is the better, but the most important thing would be to get security for a few years so that we can work towards our goal."

Bottas hopes to solidify his future before the season's August break.

"It's too late in a season like this, but there's no panic," he mentioned. "There are discussions and progress, but I would like to get it done." body check tags ::