Valtteri Bottas, the 35-year-old Finnish driver, is set to rejoin Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team as a reserve driver for the 2025 season. This move marks a return to the team where he previously enjoyed significant success from 2017 to 2021, securing 10 Grand Prix victories and contributing to five consecutive Constructors’ Championships alongside Lewis Hamilton.
Bottas’s return to Mercedes comes after a challenging stint with Sauber (formerly Alfa Romeo), where he faced difficulties, including a point-less 2024 season. His departure from Sauber coincides with the team’s transition into an Audi factory team by 2026, leading to a reshuffling of their driver lineup.
Expressing his enthusiasm about rejoining Mercedes, Bottas stated, “Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased.” He added, “Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff welcomed Bottas back, highlighting his previous contributions: “Valtteri’s 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.” Wolff also noted Bottas’s technical feedback and personable nature, stating, “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.”
In his reserve driver role, Bottas will support Mercedes’ main drivers, George Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who replaces the departing Lewis Hamilton as he moves to Ferrari. Bottas’s responsibilities will include participating in testing and development programs, providing technical feedback, and being on standby to race if needed.
Bottas’s return to Mercedes is seen as a strategic move for both parties. For Mercedes, his experience and familiarity with the team’s operations are invaluable assets, especially during a period of transition with a new driver lineup. For Bottas, this role offers an opportunity to remain actively involved in Formula 1, contributing his expertise while exploring potential future racing opportunities.
This development follows Mick Schumacher’s departure from Mercedes as a reserve driver, creating the vacancy that Bottas will now fill. Schumacher, after two years in the reserve role, is seeking other opportunities within motorsport.
Bottas’s return to Mercedes has been met with positive reactions from fans and the F1 community, many recalling his previous successes with the team and anticipating his contributions in the upcoming season. As the 2025 season approaches, Mercedes aims to leverage Bottas’s experience to enhance their performance and competitiveness on the grid.
