‘Perfect’ F1 star is now only a ‘signature’ away from becoming a reserve driver in 2025

The Formula 1 driver’s market has been fascinating this season and is set to continue beyond the end of the season after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

RB are the only team yet to confirm their two drivers with Liam Lawson fighting to become the fifth confirmed rookie on the grid in 2025.

Mercedes, Alpine, Sauber and Haas will all run young drivers, with Kimi Antonelli likely to attract the most interest from fans and the media given he’s replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

All of these rookies coming into the sport mean that several more experienced drivers have missed out.

The likes of Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will all move on, while Sergio Perez is under increasing pressure at Red Bull.

This means they need to find new roles elsewhere and one of those could be as a reserve driver.

Blick has now reported that Bottas is closing in on re-joining Mercedes after missing out on a Sauber 

Once described as the ‘perfect’ driver, via Planet F1, by then Mercedes chief James Vowles, Bottas had a brilliant time with the Brackley-based team alongside Hamilton.

He was unfortunate to not be able to find a seat elsewhere for next season but wants to remain in Formula 1 in some capacity.

Valtteri Bottas closing in on becoming Mercedes’ reserve driver for 2025

Bottas had another race to forget at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, going into qualifying knowing he already had a five-place grid penalty to serve.

Zhou managed to reach Q2 and put in a very strong performance, running in the points for half of the race.

The Finn was never in contention to end his long wait for a top-10 finish but knows he’s just two race weekends away from escaping the worst F1 car on the grid.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Talking about the prospect of signing Bottas, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said, ‘If you can bring a ten-time GP winner back into your team as a reserve driver, then you should do it!’

The report from Blick suggests that the ‘only thing missing’ to confirm Bottas joining Mercedes in 2025 is his signature.

They also question what this means for Mick Schumacher who currently acts as Mercedes’ reserve driver.

Schumacher’s cryptic message after missing out on replacing Bottas suggests he realises his chances of ever racing in Formula 1 look to be ebbing away.

Formula 1 set to lose one of its biggest personalities when Valtteri Bottas leaves Sauber

When Bottas was replaced by George Russell at the beginning of the 2022 season, he still had plenty to be excited about.

After only being handed a one-year rolling deal with Mercedes, Alfa Romeo – now Sauber, soon to be Audi – handed Bottas a three-year contract.

Unfortunately, that tied Bottas in with a team that progressively got worse as time went on and this year Sauber have been far and away the worst team on the grid.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin

The saving grace for Bottas was the prospect of racing for Audi in 2026 when they became the sport’s newest works team.

Leaving Mercedes for Sauber has also allowed Bottas’ personality to flourish and he’s one of the most entertaining drivers in the paddock.

Moving back to Mercedes would be Bottas’ best choice for 2025 and allow the Anglo-German team to benefit from his increased marketability.

Eddie Jordan has told Bottas to move on from F1, but he doesn’t seem to be ready to take that step away yet.

It would only take a slow start from Antonelli for Wolff to call upon Bottas and his expertise will help Mercedes develop a quick but unpredictable car.