Mercedes has officially announced that Valtteri Bottas will rejoin the team as a reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season, following his departure from Kick Sauber after the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Bottas returns to Mercedes, where he spent five successful seasons (2017–2021), marking a significant chapter in his F1 career.
During his tenure with Mercedes, Bottas secured all 10 career victories and achieved 20 pole positions, cementing his reputation as a key player in the team’s dominance during the turbo-hybrid era. After his stint with Mercedes, Bottas moved to Sauber, which was known as Alfa Romeo at the time, for the 2022 season. Despite showing promise, Bottas faced mixed results with the Swiss team, including a strong 10th place finish in 2022, but struggled to score points in 2024.
After Kick Sauber decided not to renew Bottas’ contract for 2025, opting for a pairing of Nico Hülkenberg and Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, Bottas began negotiations with Mercedes to secure a reserve role. This opportunity will allow Bottas to stay in the F1 conversation and work towards a potential return to racing in 2026.
As Mercedes’ reserve driver, Bottas will attend most, if not all, Formula 1 Grands Prix in 2025, providing crucial support to regular race drivers George Russell and debutant Kimi Antonelli. His role will involve assisting with car development and offering technical feedback, ensuring Mercedes remains competitive in its bid for future world championships.
“I’m beyond excited to return home to the Mercedes family as the third driver for 2025,” said Bottas. “I want to express my gratitude to Toto Wolff and the entire Mercedes team for welcoming me back with open arms. Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know I have so much more to offer in Formula 1. Since I was a young kid in Nastola, Finland, my focus has always been on achieving success at the pinnacle of motorsport.”
He continued, “I’ve been fortunate to have experienced some incredible moments in my 12 years in F1. As I return to the place where so many of those moments occurred, I’m excited to contribute all the knowledge I’ve gained and help the team perform, progressing towards our ultimate goal of fighting for world championships.”
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff also expressed his excitement at Bottas’ return, saying, “Welcome back, Valtteri! It’s fantastic to have you with us again. His impact during his five years as our race driver was immense. Along with his race wins, he played a crucial role in securing five of our championship titles. His technical feedback was invaluable in helping us stay at the top, and he will bring that same expertise and determination to his role as Reserve Driver.”
Wolff also praised Bottas’ character, adding, “Valtteri was not only a fantastic colleague but also a beloved team member. His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a favourite within the team at both Brackley and Brixworth. In his new role, these qualities will be vital as we continue our fight for world championships, supporting both George and Kimi.”
