Bottas pleased with Kick Sauber’s pace progress as Zhou rues ‘disappointing start of the year’ after Japan DNF.
There were mixed emotions for the Kick Sauber team at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Valtteri Bottas taking the positives from the squad’s improvement in pace while Zhou Guanyu was left disappointed after having to retire with a mechanical problem.
10 April 2024
Formula One - Official Site

Bottas ended up near the back of this pack and, after trying to find a way past the Haas of Kevin Magnussen, eventually crossed the line in P14. While this means that Kick Sauber are still yet to score a point in 2024, the 10-time race winner was left feeling optimistic about the car’s speed.

“Honestly it was a positive day in terms of the pace overall,” Bottas commented after the race “We did stop quite early on the second stop, and actually [at the] same time with all the others.”

“Unfortunately we ended up behind all the cars that we were racing, so then basically for the rest of the race I was stuck behind Kevin [Magnussen], who had really high top speed, so I couldn’t really find a way around him. But pace-wise I think it’s better than what the result is.”

‘Disappointing start of the year’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...GHO72EEvyDwXr6


‘Pace was better than the result’ says Bottas after P14 finish in Japan
07 Apr 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Valtteri Bottas insisted there were positives for Kick Sauber at Suzuka, despite their points drought continuing.

‘Pace was better than the result’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...839387677.html


Bottas eyes escape from ruinous Stake F1 problem
Stake F1's recurring problems could be about to end.
13 April 11:23AM
Jake Nichol & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

The team was not able to react to the issue until it was first detected in testing, but after four races, Bottas feels a turn could be on offer in F1's return to Shanghai. "It is an issue that was kind of there, we didn't know before the season that it would be an issue, and it is not a quick fix," he said.

"But there is 100% a fix planned, hopefully for China, but it is still not 100%. Even before the Bahrain test, it was not a big concern, but in the test, we started to see some issues.”

Bottas was on course for a points finish in Australia, before a slow stop ruined his chances as he came home in 14th place on a strong weekend for the 10-time grand prix winner, but he defended the team. "We are in this together, and I was disappointed, the whole team was disappointed," he added. "These things shouldn't happen, but we are taking it seriously and it is a priority to get it sorted."

‘There is 100% a fix planned’;

https://racingnews365.com/bottas-eye...ake-f1-problem


Bullish Bottas: ‘We can absolutely fight for points’
06 Apr 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Valtteri Bottas will start the Japanese Grand Prix from P13 on the grid, but is confident of being in the battle for a top 10 finish – assuming Kick Sauber have no more pit stop problems.

‘We can absolutely fight for points’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...809749654.html


Valtteri Bottas 2025 contract chances remain uncertain
April 12, 2024
Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
Last Word On Sports

Valtteri Bottas is fighting to stay on the Formula 1 grid, but his options are slowly shrinking. There are only three drivers on the 2024 F1 grid with more accolades than Valtteri Bottas. The Finn has taken 10 race victories and 67 podiums in his career, with the majority coming during his five-year Mercedes stint. After a euphoric debut with Alfa Romeo Sauber in 2022, Bottas faces a series of challengers to his seat.

So far in 2024, misfortune has plagued Bottas in his campaign with Sauber. A generally uninspiring C44 machine has made points difficult to attain. Even worse, the Swiss-based team continues to struggle with pit-stop issues. Their equipment is still causing stops that put the 34-year-old out of points contention.

Limited options for Bottas. Fundamentally, the former Mercedes driver is in a race against time to keep his F1 career alive. Perhaps most frustratingly, his machinery will make it difficult to secure the landmark results necessary to convince rivals. His performances to start the 2024 campaign have been impressive – but this may not be enough in such a hotly contested market.

‘2025 contract chances remain uncertain’;

https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsp...ain-uncertain/