Valtteri Bottas is not on the Formula 1 grid for the first time since 2012 this term after losing his Sauber seat to Gabriel Bortoleto yet could make a quick return next season.
Having already signed an experienced driver in Nico Hulkenberg to help shape Sauber ahead of Audi’s takeover in 2026, the German automotive brand released Bottas plus Zhou Guanyu at the end of their contracts. Bottas thus returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver for 2025.
The 35-year-old was a prominent part of the paddock for over a decade, in which Bottas had 246 Grand Prix starts from 247 entries. The Finn further took 10 race wins, 20 pole positions and 67 podiums and could offer a Formula 1 team lots of positives if brought back next year.
Bottas is yet to rule out a comeback to F1, and was even back behind the wheel of a current-generation car on Thursday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. McLaren staged a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session for Bottas at the Spanish Grand Prix track in their 2023 car.
Valtteri Bottas is ‘waiting’ on Cadillac as Mercedes’ reserve driver mulls a return to F1
Taking part in a TPC session with McLaren could even help Bottas in any bid to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2026. The Finn has not shut the door on a comeback and Motorsport.com also now reports that Bottas is ‘waiting’ on Cadillac to decide on the drivers for their debut.
| Category | Zhou Guanyu | Valtteri Bottas |
| 2024 points | 4 | 0 |
| Grand Prix results | 10 | 14 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 3 | 21 |
| Grand Prix wins | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Prix poles | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Prix podiums | 0 | 0 |
| Best finish | 8th | 11th |
| Retirements | 2 | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Prix points finishes | 1 | 0 |
| Sprint results | 3 | 3 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 1 | 5 |
| Sprint wins | 0 | 0 |
| Sprint poles | 0 | 0 |
| Sprint podiums | 0 | 0 |
READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
Cadillac will debut in 2026 after Formula 1 and the FIA gave General Motors the go-ahead to join the grid as the 11th team. The American automotive giants are expected to sign at least one American driver, with Mario Andretti confirming Cadillac are interested in Colton Herta.
But Cadillac are also likely to sign an experienced F1 driver and Bottas could fill that void. He would bring experience of racing for teams in rebuild phases having raced with Williams and Sauber plus in dominant eras with Mercedes, and Bottas has already held talks with Cadillac.
There are other candidates to fill the experienced driver void, though, and Sergio Perez sees Cadillac as his chosen route back to F1. Despite his struggles with Williams which resulted in a mid-season exit in 2024 it has been touted Cadillac could bring Logan Sargeant back to F1.
McLaren TPC test in Barcelona could help Valtteri Bottas secure Cadillac seat
Bottas spending 2025 as Mercedes’ reserve driver and also being on hand to McLaren could prove beneficial in convincing Cadillac he is the experienced driver they need to sign. Unlike Perez after Red Bull cancelled his contract, Bottas is staying firmly in the F1 world this term.
McLaren gave Bottas seat time in their MCL60 in Barcelona as the Woking crew can loan the Finn from Mercedes if they need a reserve driver. The test gave the Nastola native a chance to get familiar with McLaren’s systems and procedures, plus stay sharp after leaving Sauber.
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