Williams is ready to end its wait for Carlos Sainz and plans to solidify its 2025 driver lineup ahead of Formula 1's upcoming summer break.
Sainz's prolonged decision-making process has tested the patience of several teams considering him for his next career move post-Ferrari, and has also held up decisions for numerous other drivers.
"Of course it's a factor," Valtteri Bottas mentioned when queried about the delays caused by Sainz, "although it won't last forever. I don't think all the teams are willing to wait very much longer for Sainz."
Sainz, 29, is reportedly slow in making his choice among strong propositions from Sauber-Audi, Williams, and Alpine as he holds out for a potential spot at either Mercedes or Red Bull.
"It's a complex decision," he acknowledged to La Repubblica newspaper. "I need more time, more than people hoped, to analyze the market, teams and people."
"I haven't done it yet and I don't know if it will happen before the summer break. I know I have teams on hold and I thank them for their patience, but I have to have it too."
Sainz has refuted suggestions that a recent proposal from Alpine's new advisor Flavio Briatore is behind his delay.
"From the beginning, all the teams that didn't have confirmed drivers were an option," he maintained, "so Alpine was there too. They didn't come in at the last minute."
Inside sources suggest that Williams' principal James Vowles is losing patience with Sainz and is leaning towards signing Bottas to a multi-year agreement, especially since Esteban Ocon has proven too tall for the 2025 cockpit dimensions.
"That's the question of the moment," Vowles expressed to Canal Plus in Hungary regarding Alex Albon's future teammate for 2025 and beyond.
"We will decide soon, but for the moment I can't tell you. But it will be in the next two weeks, I think."
Bottas has been seen meeting with Vowles multiple times recently, including a notable low-profile encounter at Silverstone that many believe could have been the contract signing.
"Discussions have taken place here and there," the Sauber driver revealed in Hungary. "James and I know each other particularly well."
"Everything that has been negotiated with all of the teams I've talked to is based on multi-year contracts," Bottas stated. "At this point in a career, one year is not very interesting. It has to be a longer project and you have to commit to it properly."
"I believe there are still years ahead of me at this level, and that's the feeling I got from these conversations too. Hopefully we can improve this (Sauber) car this season and wherever I am next year, there will be better equipment from the start." body check tags ::
