Valtteri Bottas has returned to Mercedes after three years at Sauber. The Finn will serve as the team’s reserve driver in 2025.
Bottas acted as number two to Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows from 2017-2021. He grabbed 10 wins and was a key part of the team’s dominance in the turbo-hybrid era.
The 35-year-old joined Sauber in 2022 and endured three difficult years in underperforming machinery. Bottas failed to score a point in 2024 as the Hinwil-based outfit finished last in the Constructors’ Championship.
| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Max Verstappen |
437 |
| 2 |
Lando Norris |
374 |
| 3 |
Charles Leclerc |
356 |
| 4 |
Oscar Piastri |
292 |
| 5 |
Carlos Sainz Jr |
290 |
| 6 |
George Russell |
245 |
| 7 |
Lewis Hamilton |
223 |
| 8 |
Sergio Perez |
152 |
| 9 |
Fernando Alonso |
70 |
| 10 |
Pierre Gasly |
42 |
| 11 |
Nico Hulkenberg |
41 |
| 12 |
Yuki Tsunoda |
30 |
| 13 |
Lance Stroll |
24 |
| 14 |
Esteban Ocon |
23 |
| 15 |
Kevin Magnussen |
16 |
| 16 |
Alexander Albon |
12 |
| 17 |
Daniel Ricciardo |
12 |
| 18 |
Oliver Bearman |
7 |
| 19 |
Franco Colapinto |
5 |
| 20 |
Guanyu Zhou |
4 |
| 21 |
Liam Lawson |
4 |
| 22 |
Valtteri Bottas |
0 |
| 23 |
Logan Sargeant |
0 |
| 24 |
Jack Doohan |
0 |
Sauber opted to part company with Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at the end of the season in favour of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Both drivers will remain in F1 as reserve drivers this year – the Finn with Mercedes and the Chinese driver with Ferrari.
George Russell thinks Bottas will be a ‘key’ weapon for Mercedes to beat Ferrari in 2025 as he has had experience of using their engines with Sauber.
Bottas will also help ‘coach’ Kimi Antonelli behind the scenes. The Italian will be under immense pressure in his rookie season and the Finn will be great to learn from throughout the year.
Valtteri Bottas doubts Mercedes will stop him from leaving and taking a full-time race seat
While Bottas will remain in the paddock in 2025, the intention is clear; he wants to return to a full-time race seat by at least 2026.
The Finn could get an opportunity with Mercedes this year if either Russell or Antonelli falls ill. Bottas could also be made available to McLaren for testing during the season.
READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
While the 35-year-old is focused on his role with Mercedes, he doubts the Brackley-based outfit will ‘stand in between’ his desire to race full-time in F1 again.
“I think we both know, me and the team, that there needs to be some kind of… we’ve got to be dynamic”, he told Sky Sports F1.
“So, of course at the moment I’m fully committed to the year, giving everything I have for the team and trying to help the best I can.
“But if there’s an opportunity to race, I doubt the team would stay in between that.
“So let’s see, let’s take it first race by race, let the season start and then we see what the year brings and also what 2026 brings”.
What are Valtteri Bottas’ options for 2026?
It would be difficult to imagine a seat becoming available in 2025 that Bottas would be a candidate for. Therefore, his best chance of a return is next season.
Mercedes drivers Russell and Antonelli are both out of contract in 2025, but the team will likely want to retain the duo for the long term.
Alpine have Franco Colapinto lined up for the future while Red Bull and Racing Bulls are likely off the table for Bottas. This means his only likely option for 2026 is Cadillac.
The American outfit are set to become F1’s 11th team next year. It has been reported that Bottas has already had talks with Cadillac as the team searches for an experienced driver.
Bottas has said he will not accept a one-year deal if he is offered a contract for 2026. The Finn plans to stay in F1 for a few more years, but his options are limited.
