Bottas extends F1 stay as new team announced

Valtteri Bottas will remain in the F1 paddock in 2025, with the 35-year-old returning to Mercedes in a reserve capacity behind George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

The Finnish driver previously raced for the Brackley-based squad from 2017 to 2021, before moving to Alfa Romeo Sauber when Russell was promoted from Williams.

He remained there through 2024, but the now-called Stake F1 team opted to sign Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto for next season ahead of transitioning into Audi for the start of 2026.

Bottas claimed each of his 10 grand prix victories with Mercedes during his time partnering Lewis Hamilton and replaces Mick Schumacher, who has decided to leave the German marque to “pursue new opportunities” next year.

Having started his F1 career with Williams in 2013, Bottas’ continuous run of holding a full-time seat ends after missing out on a return to his old team, with Carlos Sainz the preferred option there.

“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month,” Bottas said. 

“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. 

“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1. Since I was a five-year-old kid growing up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success in the top tier of motorsport. 

“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 to perform and progress towards our goal of fighting for world championships.”