Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes

The search for an agreement was described a few weeks ago as not very complex, as both parties were keen to get together. Valtteri Bottas will return to the Mercedes team, which Toto Wolff had already indicated was only a “question of time” last month.

Due to a lack of agreement with Stake Sauber, Audi’s future Formula 1 team, which preferred Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hülkenberg, the Finn found himself without a steering wheel for 2025. For the first time since his arrival in the Grand Prix in 2013 with Williams, he will therefore not be on the grid next year but his experience will benefit the team with which he gleaned his ten victories in Formula 1.

Saying “relieved” to leave Sauber, where he had signed when the team was still the incarnation of Alfa Romeo in 2022, Valtteri Bottas even confided after the last Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi that he had committed “a mistake” in his career choice, having experienced a “tumble” in Hinwil.

With 246 Grands Prix in Formula 1, he competed in 101 under the colors of Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, when he was called upon to succeed world champion Nico Rosberg to support Lewis Hamilton. At the end of his cycle with the German team five years later, he gave way to George Russell, who will team up next year with rookie Kimi Antonelli.

This return of Valtteri Bottas to Brackley takes place via the role of reserve driver and tester, while Mercedes will no longer be able to count on Mick Schumacher in this third man role. A way, at 35, to keep one foot in Formula 1 and perhaps postpone his farewell to the discipline.

“I would like to thank Toto, the team at Brackley and everyone at Mercedes for welcoming me with open arms”he rejoices. “Despite the difficulties of recent years, I know I still have a lot to bring to F1. I am returning to where I have experienced so much and I look forward to using all my knowledge to help the team to perform well and progress towards our goal of fighting for titles.”

Director of the Mercedes team, Toto Wolff recalled the importance of “technical feedback” by Valtteri Bottas during his first visit. “In his role as a reserve, all his qualities will be incredibly important”he adds.