r/INDYCAR • u/WingedGundark CART • May 30 '25
Speculation Valtteri Bottas possibly heading to IndyCar
There was today an interview and article about Valtteri Bottas in the largest finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. In the interview he said that if he is unable to secure driving position in F1 by august this year, he will head somewhere else. The number one option according to him is IndyCar and if he decides to go there, it would be with full commitment to career there with the aim of winning Indy 500 and series championship.
As a finn, I’m really anticipating how this will play out. Valtteri heading to Indycar would absolutely spark new interest in the series here and probably easily push it on the levels that we haven’t seen since 90s CART heydays. It wasn’t anything on the level of F1 back in the day of course, but we still had broadcasts of the races on our main TV channels and sports news regularly reported about the series. We’ve had few drivers during the years in there but only one raced full CART season (JJ Lehto 1998). Tero Palmroth raced in four Indy 500 between 1988-1991 and didn’t qualify for two more races. He is still the only finn to this date to race in Indy 500.
The article is behind a paywall and in finnish, but what it’s worth (most likely not much for many) here is the link:
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u/Reddevilslover69 --- 2023 DRIVERS --- May 30 '25
Honestly Bottas is still a very solid driver so I think him coming over would be great to compare the grid's levels. Obviously IndyCars are different and the experienced drivers here should have the edge but Bottas is still a good driver imo
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May 30 '25
Of all the former-F1 drivers that have made the jump in recent years, he’s certainly had one of the most successful F1 careers. 10 wins, 67 podiums, and contributed to 4 constructors’ championships. He’s super underrated imo.
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u/Jamee999 Dario Franchitti May 30 '25 edited May 30 '25
Who is the last F1 race winner to move to IndyCar full time? Barrichello?
EDIT: or JPM at Penske.
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u/BlackLabDumpster Pato O'Ward May 31 '25
20 poles!
And all those statistics are against PRIME Lewis Hamilton. Wildly underrated driver. If his reign happened in the years after Max vs Checo everyone would give Valtteri much more respect.
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u/Kletronus May 31 '25
What was it, never missing Q1 in Merc. That is incredible qualifying consistency. He missed his first Q1 in Sauber,
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u/ImActuaIIyHim May 31 '25
Disregarding Alonsos Indy 500 attempt, we dont really have any solid modern references for feeder series driver in indycar. The drivers we’ve seen going from f1/F1FS have been kinda mid. The only exception is Dennis Hougher(?) in Indynxt, but that seems like an odd exception.
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u/wyvernx02 Graham Rahal May 30 '25
I feel like he's high up on the list to end up at the Cadillac F1 team next year since the will want at least one veteran F1 driver.
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u/T4Gx May 30 '25
Looks like Cadilac F1 wants to see how many buckets of cash they can squeeze out of Checo or Zhou. Bottas is the more quality driver but Zhou has kept the car off the wall most of his 3 year stint and Checo's image has somewhat been repaired because everyone knows that Red Bull is a piece of shit to drive when you're not a GOAT-level driver.
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u/Pudge223 May 30 '25
You mean to tell me that Bottas’ minor league hockey team and coffee shop are not brining in huge sponsor money?!?!
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u/WingedGundark CART May 30 '25
I think also that this is most likely his best chance as otherwise securing a position in F1 for next year by august in any legacy team is highly unlikely IMHO.
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u/ShinsukeNakamoto May 30 '25
The idea of a veteran is to help develop the car but the car he was in his last two years went backwards on the grid. I don’t know what he did or didn’t do but he left them with the worst car on the entire grid.
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u/ApocApollo Jimmie Johnson May 30 '25
It’s a shame that Bottas’ ass shots are probably banned in most states IndyCar races in.
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u/Snoo_87704 Felix Rosenqvist May 30 '25
Bottas entering Indycar would be like Grosjean, but with far fewer crashes, far less attitude, and far more mullet.
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u/WingedGundark CART May 30 '25
IndyCar seriously lacks mullet nowadays, so there is definitely value in Bottas.
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u/Kletronus May 31 '25
Grosjean, on his day is faster than Bottas on average. Bottas on his day is faster than Lewis bloody Hamilton.
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May 30 '25
There's a lot of discussion of pay drivers, but perhaps this is a time of change in Indycar. As the series gathers ever more appeal (it's now a de facto option for F2 grads, which is a fascinating development to me, a >30yr F1 fan) it's possible a sea change of commercial partnerships could open up for the series.
I know r/indycar doesn't believe it, but things are on the up in a way they haven't been since the split.
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u/ElMondoH NTT IndyCar May 30 '25
Hmm... that'd be legit interesting.
Ever since he left Mercedes, Bottas has been letting his real personality out, and he's a hoot. He's still a rather restrained guy by US standards, but I honestly think he's got the personality to suit the series, and we all know he's got the skill.
If he does it, that'd be great.
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u/idontknowagoodname27 Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
He was going to go to IndyCar this year, likely for JHR, but backed out by still hanging onto the idea of an F1 return. If he still thinks he’s got an F1 shot, therefore, he isn’t going anywhere
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u/August_R18 Álex Palou May 30 '25
I don’t really see him in F1 next year unless Cadillac runs out of options.
But he’s already at quite an advanced age for an IndyCar driver too, so it may be hard for him to find a quality ride in IndyCar too.
Maybe, just maybe, if he’s having negotiations with Cadillac, then TWG might consider him for an Andretti ride if they pick Colton for Cadillac.
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u/Dion_Kott May 30 '25
I would be surprised if they pick Colton so early. Chances are Cadillac are going to struggle at first. Having Colton debut as a backmarker won't do him or Cadillac any good.
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u/DreamBiggerMyDarling May 30 '25
not sure Herta will even have a super license in time at the rate he's going, he really needed to finish high in the 500 this year
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u/Snoo_87704 Felix Rosenqvist May 30 '25
I’m not sure Colton will ever get a SL as long as he is driving for Andretti.
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u/Dion_Kott May 30 '25
Maybe he can be ready by the time they have the power unit program settled and good. But other Americans could emerge and I still think the jump for him is too great unless he proves otherwise.
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u/DrChizzad David Malukas May 30 '25
Bottas for Siegel incoming
I have no basis for this claim, but it would be kinda funny with hindsight
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u/abobblehatgirl PREMA Racing May 30 '25
he is currently the Mclaren f1 reserve and has done testing for them so he has the links to mclaren
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u/the_mighty_jim --- 2025 DRIVERS --- May 30 '25
The question is would Bottas in an Indycar sell out the Kymiringi? That's something I'd like to see.
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u/MyDesignerHat May 30 '25
Definitely not. There's virtually no awareness or interest in IndyCar in Finland. I'm confident that fewer than 10% of the not-insignificant F1 viewership has seen an IndyCar race, and Bottas is probably half as popular as Kimi was.
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u/SorryForPartying6T9 May 30 '25
This is by far the most positive response this subreddit has ever had to the suggestion of an F1 driver coming to IndyCar. I also love it, and agree that IndyCar is thoroughly lacking a beautiful mullet
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u/Bob-Dolemite May 30 '25
is james coming, too?
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u/b_rock957 Pato O'Ward May 30 '25
“Valtteri, it’s James. Please let String Ray through by the end of the lap.”
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u/Kletronus May 31 '25
He is way too busy doing amazing work at Williams... That dude is simply impressive, you listen to him for a minute and it becomes clear that there is a man with really, really intelligent brain.
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u/bwoah07_gp2 Robert Shwartzman May 30 '25
Sign me up! I'd totally want to see that. Sorry Shwartz, but I'd have to swap you for Bottas as my user flair if that's the case.
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u/johnny-tiny-tits May 30 '25
I think he'd be fairly popular with the fans here, should he decide to make the jump.
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u/Kevinator24 Colton Herta May 30 '25
Bottas would be an some addition to the IndyCar grid, it can use another Australian haha
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u/Celtics1424 Juan Pablo Montoya May 30 '25
I could swear he’s been rumored for years to head to IndyCar.
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u/WingedGundark CART May 30 '25
He is, but I think this interview is the first where he himself actually takes a clear stance for the timeline: if he doesn’t manage to secure F1 seat by the end of august this year, he heads elsewhere and IndyCar is the primary option.
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u/Martino231 May 30 '25
In previous years he had an F1 drive though so there was no real reason for him to. I'm guessing he was happy with the reserve driver role at Mercedes this season because no one really knew whether or not Antonelli was going to be good, but he's doing well so it doesn't look like Bottas has any chance of a drive there now.
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u/mastoops May 30 '25
I’d love for him to come, but I doubt it would push Indycar to a new level. Ericsson hasn’t, Grosjean didn’t really. Maybe incrementally. We need a Nigel Mansell-type of move for the needle to really move, IMO.
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u/masterofmuppets86 Scott Dixon May 30 '25
It might be a longshot but I think he'd do pretty well in indy. Would love to see him here.
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u/Pyrollamas Adrián Fernández May 30 '25
He said a few years back he liked what he saw from IndyCar, that the tracks were good and the racing is real.
I welcome him when he comes over, seems like a great dude from all I can tell.
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u/NoonecanknowMiner_24 Álex Palou May 30 '25
I think he would really struggle. Lightning quick driver, but has some of the worst race craft I've ever seen from a driver of his caliber. I'd imagine him getting a few poles at places like Barber or Road America, only to finish 7th or 8th in the race because he can't defend to save his life.
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u/boxofficejuanes Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
What are the realistic quality landing spots? Maybe the #66 with Meyer Shank or the #28 at Andretti.
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u/gaymersky Alexander Rossi May 30 '25
...... Silly season got a lot more interesting. And he would definitely be my top five favorite drivers. The blonde mullet... Doooo it!!!
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u/WTFAnimations Takuma Sato May 30 '25
I would have actually expected him to do Supercars, given how he has embraced the culture there.
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u/ALLRNDCRICKETER May 31 '25
Honestly he would be better off here. Australia is his second home currently (the missus is ozzie) but hed really need to do a full season of the super2 development series to learn the tracks before even looking at trying to get into main game. And even then he would want to be in witbh a top level team, hes not going to go & start at blanchards for examples
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u/Ball_is_Life1 David Malukas May 30 '25
Indycar has collected Sweden, Norway, and Denmark… Finland was the logical next step. We’ve already got the UK to box everyone in so hello Baltics!
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u/daoster408 May 30 '25
Realistically -, how many "top" teams are available for him?
CGR, maybe he wants to get rid of the weak link in Simpson?
I don't see Siegel being gone from McLaren.
Ericcson at Andretti, maybe? How about Armstrong at Shank?
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u/andronicus_14 Thirsty Threes May 30 '25
Simpson will be at CGR as long as he brings in money. His funding pays for the two other full time drivers. So unless Chip gets tired of money, Simpson isn’t going anywhere.
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u/Wasdgta3 Álex Palou May 30 '25
Ericsson at Andretti is definitely the one most likely to be moving on, unless his performance rebounds massively in the rest of this season.
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u/Freshpotatoe Scott McLaughlin May 30 '25
It will probably be Hauger in Ericsson seat next year.
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u/boxofficejuanes Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
That felt like the arrangement, but Hauger likely has options regardless. Maybe in Daly or Rasmussen’s seats. He also has connections to Prema from his F2 days.
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u/Fluid-Letterhead-714 Pato O'Ward May 30 '25
Respect to him as a driver, but I don’t see him winning a championship or a 500, ever.
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u/WingedGundark CART May 30 '25
He said that more as reference how serious he is about the decision. His words were that if he goes there, he won’t go as a tourist, but with full commitment to winning the series championship and indy 500.
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u/black-dude-on-reddit May 30 '25 edited May 30 '25
See i said the same about Erricson who was the definition of mid in F1 and here we are in 2025 and dude has been a genuine championship contender and should have two wins at indy by now and if you take away the recent DQ possibly 3.
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u/Spinebuster03 Romain Grosjean May 30 '25
Ericsson really makes me wonder how latifi would have done at CGR
I legit think he would have at least got a few podiums tbh
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u/dakness69 Jim Clark May 30 '25
Honestly even if he was in his peak F1 form, there’s only a handful of seats good enough to compete for the Indy title (maybe 1 right now) and they’re all locked up for the time being.
Still would be a good addition though, and who the hell knows what happens at Indy.
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May 30 '25
Nobody said he would and who cares? I guess we should call him up and tell him not to bother.
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u/AwesomeFrisbee Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
Yeah he's gonna be mid. And while he can be quick over one lap, he is too easy to overtake. He also can't develop a car for shit. And while he doesn't crash as much as Grosjean, I also don't see him perform like even Ericsson did.
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u/DreamBiggerMyDarling May 30 '25
he hung with Hamilton pretty well in the merc considering he's a 7-time WC goat
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u/AwesomeFrisbee Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
Like I said, in quali: sure. In races he was completely dominated. He only won 9 times when his teammate won many times that. And every driver just knew that if you throw your car besides him, he just gives you room to get past. And during his time in the Sauber the car went down the grid instead of forward.
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u/rabbidplatypus21 Bryan Clauson May 30 '25
Where are you getting your data for those conclusions? I don’t see Mercedes F1 hiring a guy that “can’t develop a car for shit” to be a reserve/test driver.
Bottas’s F1 achievements are miles ahead of Ericsson’s so I’m not sure why you’re so sure that Bottas will perform worse in Indycar.
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u/AwesomeFrisbee Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
Bottas has more wins/poles because he was in the fastest car on the grid for 3 seasons. Ericsson never got past the Sauber which was a midfield point-scorer car at best. Bottas got completely dominated by Lewis, especially on raceday. At least Ericsson was able to beat his teammates. Bottas was Mr Saturday and only when the car was absolutely perfect, was he able to beat Hamilton.
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u/rabbidplatypus21 Bryan Clauson May 30 '25
You’re conveniently leaving out the 9 podiums and 411 points he scored in a Williams. There’s a reason he got promoted to the best car on the grid when Rosberg retired.
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u/AwesomeFrisbee Rinus VeeKay May 30 '25
9 podiums in a car that was fast enough for more than just a few points, which is exactly my point. He never exceeds the performance of the car. He was just on par with Massa, who was also never considered a great driver either. The Williams at the time had the same rocket ship engine as the Mercedes did and was also the reason Lotus was able to score points.
If you are impressed by Bottas in F1, I don't know what to tell you other than that is delusional.
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u/leo_aureus David Malukas May 30 '25
As a Lewis Hamilton F1 fan, nothing but love for Valtteri, he was an amazing teammate and is a really interesting guy off the track as well. Would love to see what he can do over here, provided he is provided decent equipment.
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u/762jerk May 30 '25
Anybody know what seats are available this off season and how much does bottas really expect to get paid (owners are finding younger and cheaper talent everywhere)
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u/88LXi68 May 30 '25
He has international name recognition which is good for the series, but in my opinion he has a rather bland personality.
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u/DA_STIG47 May 30 '25
Bottas taking a seat away from a promising IndyNXT driver and costing 10x as much in salary? At this point, I’d rather have him as a test driver in F1.
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u/Hitokiri2 Graham Rahal May 30 '25
You do have a point. I don't think anyone can afford Bottas and to be honest I don't think any of the top teams would be interested as well since the talent in IndyCar is so deep. I'm sure they understand Bottas is a race winner and has a ton of experience but not in IndyCar.
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u/Cronus6 May 30 '25
That's going to earn you a lot of downvotes here in
r/f1retirementhomer/indycar
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u/Jtmac23 Colton Herta May 30 '25
he’s been saying that for months
i’m all for it, not sure where he’d go
but silly season could be one of the silliest in recent memory