ボッタス、ミック・シューマッハの後任でメルセデスのリザーブ復帰も

【ドーハＡＦＰ＝時事】フォーミュラワン（Ｆ１、Ｆ１世界選手権）にザウバーから参戦しているバルテリ・ボッタスは２７日、離脱するミック・シューマッハの後任としてメルセデスＡＭＧのリザーブドライバーに復帰する用意があると明かした。（写真は第２２戦ラスベガスＧＰでフリー走行に臨むザウバーのバルテリ・ボッタス）
　ボッタスは独自動車大手アウディによる買収が決まったザウバーとの契約が更新されないことが決まっており、週末の第２３戦カタールＧＰを控える中で記者団に対し、将来を考える上で「まだ少しやるべきことがある」と述べた。
　最良の選択肢だとはしなかったものの、「本当に堅実な選択肢であり、先週末にトト（・ヴォルフ氏、メルセデスＡＭＧのチーム代表）が言った事には感謝している」「今の状況では、いくつかのことについてイエスかノーかを決めることができるので、少なくともあと数日、それか１、２週間は待ちたいと思っている。おそらくシーズンが終わってから腰を据えて話し合うだろう」と語った。
　ヴォルフ氏は先週末、ボッタスとの再会は「時間の問題」だと感じていると述べた。メルセデスに所属した２０１７年から２０２１年までの５年間で、ボッタスはグランプリ１０勝を挙げている。
　ボッタスは「自分にとっての優先事項はまだＦ１だ。まだ終わっていないと感じているから、テストを行うことで２０２６年のシートのチャンスが得られると思う。このスポーツでは何が起こるかわからない」「新しいチームが参戦して、シートが二つ増えるから、チャンスが増える」と続けた。
　米自動車メーカーのキャデラックの参入が見込まれることで、来年のドライバー市場にはさらなる動きが生じる可能性が高い。キャデラックは初年度に経験豊富なドライバーを検討すると予想されている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/11/29-20:21）

Valtteri Bottas confirmed on Thursday that he is poised to return to Mercedes next season as a reserve driver in the wake of Mick Schumacher's decision to leave the team at the end of the year.
The 35-year-old Finn, who is not being retained by Sauber ahead of their takeover by Audi, told reporters at the Qatar Grand Prix that there was still a bit of work to do as he contemplates his future.
He declined to say it was his best option, but added: It is a really solid option and I really appreciate what Toto (Wolff, Mercedes team chief) said last weekend. There's still a bit of work to do to finalise some things.
It's been a while that I'm now in the situation that I can decide yes or no on some different things so I just want to wait at least few more days, or one or two weeks -- probably to get over with the season, then sit down and we'll see.
Bottas will be replaced at Sauber-Audi by Formula Two championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto.
Wolff was quoted last weekend saying he felt it was only a matter of time before a reunion with Bottas, who won 10 Grands Prix during his five years at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.
Bottas added: The priority for me is still F1, I feel like I'm not done yet so I think that to be around, do some testing, gives me a chance for a seat in 2026. In this sport, you just never know what's going to happen.
There's also a new team joining which means two more seats, so it increases the opportunity.
The expected arrival of Cadillac will likely lead to more movement in the drivers' market next year, with the General Motors' brand expected to consider experienced drivers for their inaugural season.
Bottas has started 243 Grands Prix.
Mercedes will change their line-up next year following seven-time champion Hamilton's switch to join Ferrari -- George Russell will remain with Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli replacing Hamilton.
Schumacher, 25, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, has been Mercedes' reserve for two years after spending two years with the Haas team.
The German said he will focus on his continued role as a driver with the Alpine team in the World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours race.