Valtteri Bottas has admitted that signing with Sauber was a decision he now regrets, saying he would have made a different choice if he could turn back the clock.
With the exception of the dropped Logan Sargeant, the 35-year-old Finn is the only driver in 2024 who failed to score a single point.
However, despite leaving the grid after losing his Audi-Sauber seat, Bottas delivered a standout qualifying performance in Abu Dhabi, securing P9.
"It felt like one of the best laps of my career," Bottas told Viaplay.
"It's a bit of a shame that it's so late this season and the tricks are only now starting to work. A bit ironic maybe," he added.
"If you look at the whole season, it's better that we are parting ways now."
Bottas is widely expected to return to Mercedes, taking over from Mick Schumacher as the team's reserve driver in 2025. "Next week, it is planned that we lock in what we are doing for next year," he said.
"Let's finish this race first and then focus on what's next."
The phrase "What's Next?" has become a viral slogan for Bottas as he prepares for life after Sauber. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to continuing in Formula 1.
"I feel like I haven't finished with this sport," he said. "I still have something to give, so I'm going to keep going."
Reflecting on his time with the Swiss team, Bottas admitted his three-year contract ended up being a career misstep.
Asked if joining Sauber was a poor decision, Bottas told Ilta Sanomat: "If I could go back three years, I would have gone somewhere else.
"Unfortunately, that's true. This was a big mistake, but it's hard to predict these things in advance. And the first year with (Frederic) Vasseur was good. The team spirit was good and the results were quite good.
"The last two seasons after that have been like going downhill the whole time. Of course, that kind of thing affects my image as a driver too. If you can't show results, the name is kind of forgotten."
Bottas recently described his 2024 season as "sh*t".
Explaining his frustration in Abu Dhabi further, he said: "When we made the goals for 2022 with Fred and how we would reach them, we had a clear plan. But after he left, all the goals and plans went to the scrap heap."
