Valtteri Bottas has returned to former team Mercedes as a reserve driver, following his departure from Stake Sauber.
The future Audi team opted for a new driver line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025 and ’26 as it evolves into a full works constructor, leaving Bottas without a race seat for next season. Having won 10 races for Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, the Finn will now be a reserve to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month,” Bottas said, referencing his “What Next?” campaign. “Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased. I want to thank Toto [Wolff], the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms.
“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1. Since I was a five-year-old kid growing up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success in the top tier of motorsport. I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible moments in my 12 years of racing in F1 so far.
“As I return to the place where so many of those moments were achieved, I’m looking forward to using all the knowledge I’ve gained to help the team to perform and progress towards our goal of fighting for world championships.
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Team principal Wolff says Bottas’ influence on the team’s past successes beyond his own results should not be overlooked, having helped Mercedes win the constructors’ championship in every season together.
“Welcome home, Valtteri!” Bottas said. “It’s great to have you back. His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense.
“Along with scoring multiple grands prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories. His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward.
“Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humor and personable nature made him a firm favorite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. In his role as reserve driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”