Valtteri Bottas is approaching the end of his Mercedes adventure, coming to a halt after five years, and is almost ready for his switch to Sauber, while making the most out of his experience with the championship-winning team.

The Finn talked about how he's feeling about facing his last races with the German team after his unlucky Mexican GP: "I don't know, I'm just really taking it while I can, and there it ends in Abu Dhabi."

Asked about the emotions that securing what could be his last pole position in his career brought up, Bottas said:

"If I'm being realistic, it's going to be really difficult to be on pole next year, that's the realistically talking. But never say never, it can happen again."

"It's not going to be the last," he optimistically added with a laugh.

The future Alfa driver, whose teammate will be announced on Tuesday, after the Brazilian GP, as Team Principal Frederic Vasseur said today, talked about the actual form of the Swiss team:

"I think they haven't really developed this year's car, so I'm not expecting much progress for them this year. I think they are looking forward to next year since January."

Bottas has already visited the factory "a few weeks ago" for the first time:

"It's a good factory, they have all the facilities needed to be a strong team," he commented, appearing positively impressed by the dimensions of the structure, and the state of the simulator, which particularly "looked good".

He has already had a seat fitting with the team, but he's still unsure whether he'll be able to take part in the Abu Dhabi post-season tests with his new team, as his contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the year:

"We'll see, hopefully yes," he said on the topic.

Alfa Romeo's team principal Vasseur also announced that the team will discuss with Mercedes the opportunity of freeing Bottas in time for the tests.

"We have to talk about it with Mercedes and reach an agreement. I hope we will find a meeting point. A contract is a contract, and he's tied to the team until the end of the year, so we have to find a solution."

Vasseur highlighted the importance of such an opportunity and the positive impact that could bring to the new driver and the whole team:

"Even if next year's car will be completely different, the tests would be a good practice for both parties, because it will be the first time we'll work together. Taking part in the tests would be a good opportunity for him and for us to build the bond between the pilot and the team," he stressed.