Valtteri Bottas has competed in 265 Grands Prix and won 10 of them. (EPA Images pic)SAO PAULO: Valtteri Bottas insisted on Friday that talk of his impending forced exit from Cadillac and Formula One are premature and he expects to continue with the American outfit next year.
The 37-year-old Finn, a veteran of 265 Grands Prix and winner of 10, told reporters he had been surprised by rumours that he is likely to be replaced in 2027 by American Colton Herta.
He spoke out after finishing 15th in opening practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Herta was 20th in the second Cadillac, as he stood in for Sergio Perez, and completed 31 laps to ensure he qualified for a super-licence.
"I'm surprised at the amount of noise because I know what my situation is," said Bottas, formerly with Williams, Mercedes and Sauber.
