Bottas returns to Mercedes after his exit from Sauber

Having departed from the Sauber outfit after the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas will return to his former team, Mercedes, joining the Brackley-based outfit to become its reserve driver.

Valtteri Bottas is returning to Brackley, Mercedes has announced it oday, confirming that the Finn driver will become its reserve driver in 2025.

Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix, partnering Pastor Maldonado. Across four seasons at Williams, Bottas finished on the podium nine times.

The Finn was then signed for Mercedes in 2017, replacing the retiring Nico Rosberg to partner Lewis Hamilton. He took his maiden pole position in Bahrain and his maiden win in Russia, finishing third in the championship following further wins in Austria and Abu Dhabi. After a winless 2018 campaign, Bottas finished runner-up to Hamilton in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The Nastola-born driver took his final win for Mercedes at the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, leaving the Brackley-based squad at the end of the 2021 season after contributing to five consecutive World Constructors’ Championships. He joined the Sauber-run Alfa Romeo in 2022, but the Hinwil-based outfit confirmed earlier this year that the Finn will depart from Sauber at the end of the current season.

Reflecting on the announcement, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said: “Valtteri’s impact and contribution in the five years he was 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 success and pushing the team forward.”

Wolff continued: “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. Welcome home, Valtteri! It’s great to have you back,” said the Austrian.