It’s unknown whether Valtteri Bottas will ever find his way back onto the Formula 1 grid but he has helped to keep his career alive for now after signing a deal with Mercedes.
2025 will be the first season since 2012 without the Finn on the grid as he embarks on a new journey with his former employers.
Bottas was overlooked for a role with ex-team Sauber after they decided to go in a completely new direction with their driver pairing.
They signed the experienced Nico Hulkenberg to partner young Brazilian star Gabriel Bortoleto who just wrapped up the Formula 2 title.
Bottas has already had talks with an F1 team for 2026, as he looks to guarantee a full-time return to the sport at the earliest opportunity.
His new role as a reserve driver with Mercedes will see him return to Grove after three years away from the team – a period which has yielded no podiums and little of note to talk about.
Valtteri Bottas may have to realise he is ‘no longer’ capable of a full-time F1 drive
Marc Priestley thinks Bottas followed Nico Rosberg’s ‘best advice’ after maintaining a good relationship with the Silver Arrows after his first spell with them ended in 2021.
It allowed him to knock on Toto Wolff’s door again and hand him an opportunity to remain race-fit. It also comes with the slim chance of competing in one of their cars again (if something goes awry).
Bottas had every right to be annoyed after having 2024’s worst F1 car which saw him collect no points for the first time in his career.
READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas uses just three words to describe the feeling of becoming Mercedes’ reserve driver
Antonio Ghini told Motorsport Italia that the Finn may have to accept that he is no longer ‘capable’ of having a full-time drive at the highest level of motorsport.
“Being able to fight the frustration of saving [his career] was [difficult] and now [he is forced to realise] ‘I am no longer capable of doing it’,” he said.
“Of course, it is a complex thing and that [it can be] summarised in a very simple way. Life has death as its objective.”
Which F1 team is Valtteri Bottas most likely to sign for in 2026?
There could be a few options on the horizon for Bottas in 2026, but it all depends on what those teams are looking for six or maybe nine months from now.
Starting with Mercedes, George Russell is going to be out of contract at the end of the year but he’s likely to want a renewal and won’t look to leave the team after four seasons together.
It’ll leave Bottas searching outside his organisation for a role again and Cadillac is his clearest suitor currently. They need an experienced driver for their new operation and he fills that void.
READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas has left the F1 grid with an amazing record that Max Verstappen might never break
Alpine are an option too with Jack Doohan under pressure with a one-year contract to perform during his rookie season.
The last option is Aston Martin where he could replace Lance Stroll if he continues to struggle, but it’s always hard to see the Canadian getting kicked out of his father’s team.
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