Valtteri Bottas re-joins Mercedes as a reserve driver, set to attend every race and contribute both on track and at the factory.
Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes F1, three years after leaving for Sauber.
This time as a reserve driver rather than a full-time racer, the Finn explains why this choice was perfect for him and how he made his decision.
“Last year, I asked myself: ‘What’s the next step?’ I couldn’t be happier that the answer was Mercedes,” he wrote in a column on the team’s website.
“Of course, as a racing driver, you always want to be one of the 20 lining up on the Formula 1 grid 24 times a year, but it was clear in my mind that this team would be the best thing for me in 2025.”
“It feels like coming home. It’s as if I never left, and walking through the doors of Brackley last week was a really special moment. As I stroll through the factory, people stop to chat—it’s a great feeling.”
After three years in Hinwil, Bottas has returned to England and quickly settled back in: “I’m also getting used to the area again. Two days after arriving in the UK, I had already had a curry and a pub dinner!”
“It was great catching up with everyone and seeing all the familiar faces I worked with in the past. As I was writing these lines, my former race engineer, Ricci [Musconi], popped his head through the door and asked if we could have lunch together.”
Bottas outlines his role for the season and how he will support Mercedes throughout the year.
He confirms he will be present at every race and will contribute to the team’s performance.
“As the third driver, I will be at every race, handling everything related to performance on and off the track. Whether it’s setup work or driving, I’ll try to use my experience to help this great team.”
“I’ll dive into the data, watch George and Kimi’s onboard footage, and provide that extra pair of eyes. Hopefully, I’ll also get some driving and testing opportunities.”
“At the factory, I’ll be in the simulator, working on the development of the W16. So far, I’ve been getting up to speed, learning about the new car, and understanding the plans for this season.”
“There will also be marketing days, partner events, and of course, TikToks—I think we’ll have some fun moments on social media this year, so stay tuned!”
The Finn highlights that he will be a keen observer of the team’s full-time drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“Make sure to keep an eye on the two drivers behind the wheel of the W16—it’s going to be exciting.”
“George is no longer a rookie. He has a few years under his belt and has already shown he can win races and fight for titles. This is a big year for him, but he will make the most of every opportunity.”
“And then there’s Kimi. For him, it will be a steep learning curve. He’s very young, but he has demonstrated his talent and commitment. He has worked incredibly hard, and pre-season has been intense for him.”
“I’m sure he’ll have one or two questions for me throughout the year, and I’ll be there to answer them. He will also learn a lot from George. I’m excited to see his growth and development this season.”
“I hope we’ll be fighting at the front. If we do, it will be largely thanks to the people at the factory. They are professionals with a strong work ethic and the right mindset. They have a winning attitude, and it’s great to be back with people like that—I’ve missed it.”
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Bottas Returns: Mercedes’ Key Asset for 2025 F1 Season Bottas Returns: Mercedes’ Key Asset for 2025 F1 Season
