Valtteri Bottas has officially returned to Mercedes for the F1 2025 season as a reserve driver, following his exit from Sauber. After leaving Mercedes for Alfa Romeo in 2022, Bottas has made his way back to the Silver Arrows, rejoining the team where he enjoyed significant success. The announcement comes after both Bottas and teammate Zhou Guanyu were not retained for the 2025 season by Sauber, marking the end of Bottas’ three-year tenure with the Hinwil-based team.
Bottas’ Historic Stint at Mercedes
Bottas’ return to Mercedes marks a new chapter in his motorsport career, which began with great success at the Silver Arrows. During his previous five-season stint at Mercedes, Bottas made a lasting impact, winning all 10 of his career Grands Prix and helping the team to secure five consecutive Constructors’ Championships. As a trusted teammate to Lewis Hamilton, Bottas played a crucial role in Mercedes’ dominance in Formula 1.
Move to Alfa Romeo and Departure from Sauber
In 2022, Bottas transitioned to Alfa Romeo with a three-year deal, aiming to elevate the team on the grid. However, with Audi’s full takeover of the team and Nico Hulkenberg joining earlier in the season, Alfa Romeo decided to make a change, bringing in Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season. Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were both let go, marking the end of Bottas’ time with the team.
Bottas’ Return to Mercedes: Third Driver for 2025
Following the announcement of his departure from Sauber, Mercedes teased Bottas’ return through a cryptic social media post, featuring the Finn in the team’s race suit with a hint of his iconic mullet and moustache. This led to the official confirmation that Bottas would rejoin Mercedes as their third driver for the 2025 season. He will serve as a backup for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Bottas’ Statement on Returning to Mercedes
Bottas expressed his excitement about returning to the Mercedes family:
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month. Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased. I want to thank Toto, the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms.”
Bottas reflected on his successful F1 career, acknowledging the significant moments he experienced with Mercedes and expressing his eagerness to contribute to the team’s future success:
“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1. I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible moments in my 12 years of racing in F1 so far. As I return to the place where so many of those moments were achieved, I’m looking forward to using all the knowledge I’ve gained to help the team perform and progress towards our goal of fighting for world championships.”
Toto Wolff Welcomes Bottas Back
Mercedes’ Team Principal, Toto Wolff, also welcomed Bottas’ return with enthusiasm:
“Welcome home, Valtteri! It’s great to have you back. His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense. Along with scoring multiple Grands Prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories. His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward.”
Wolff emphasized Bottas’ invaluable qualities, which will continue to benefit Mercedes in his new role as reserve driver:
“Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth. In his role as reserve driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”
What Bottas’ Return Means for Mercedes
Bottas’ return to Mercedes as a reserve driver signals a new chapter for the Silver Arrows. While he may no longer be racing full-time, his experience, knowledge, and leadership will be vital for the team as they continue to challenge for championships. As Mercedes aims to compete for world titles, Bottas’ contributions will play a key role in their success, whether through providing technical feedback, assisting in race strategies, or supporting Russell and Antonelli.
With his wealth of experience, Valtteri Bottas is set to make a significant impact as Mercedes’ third driver in F1 2025, helping guide the team toward future victories while contributing to the continued development of their championship-contending car.
