After rejoining Mercedes as a reserve, Bottas believes his peak years are ahead as he targets a full-time F1 seat with Cadillac.
Former Mercedes F1 driver and current reserve Valtteri Bottas is fully focused on making his comeback.
Bottas, who lost his Sauber seat at the end of last season, has returned to Mercedes where he once partnered Lewis Hamilton, taking on a reserve driver role. Although his contract allows him to race outside of Formula 1, Bottas says he sees no reason to for now. His priority remains helping the German team and positioning himself for a return to the grid.
The ten-time Grand Prix winner is strongly linked to a seat with the new Cadillac F1 team, which is set to join the grid in 2026. Bottas has confirmed he is in regular discussions with Cadillac leadership, often spotted talking with team boss Graeme Lowdon in the paddock.
“I definitely want to be back racing. I don’t feel like my story in F1 is finished. I know I still have some good years ahead of me and getting back on the grid is the goal. The hardest part is making it happen,” Bottas said.
His current deal with Mercedes requires him to attend all 24 Grands Prix this season but gives him flexibility to compete elsewhere if he chooses.
“The first step is being here with a top team,” he explained when asked about his path back to F1. “I’m keeping an eye on everything happening with the teams preparing for 2026.”
“Formula 1 is my main focus but technically I could race in other series this year. So far, I’ve been too busy. That said, I definitely feel my racing career is far from over. If F1 doesn’t happen, I’ll race somewhere else.”
Bottas is frequently seen alongside Mercedes team boss and close friend Toto Wolff, and he has been praised for mentoring young talent Kimi Antonelli, who is stepping in for Lewis Hamilton this season.
“He still has a lot to learn,” Bottas said about the 18-year-old Italian. “It is a lot to take in, especially on tracks he has never raced before. I’m trying to share my experience to help him with setup and driving tips wherever I can.”
Outside of racing, Bottas keeps active. After the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he traveled to Australia to join his partner Tiffany Cromwell in a 100 km gravel cycling event near Adelaide. Cycling has become a serious passion for Bottas and a way to stay physically sharp.
Despite approaching his mid-thirties, Bottas believes he is still at his peak and fully capable of leading a major project like Cadillac F1 into the future.
When asked if he could still perform at a high level in F1 even at 40 years old, Bottas replied without hesitation.
“Why not? I feel at my absolute best, physically and mentally.”
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