Source – The SportsRush
After missing out on a full-time position at Stake, Valtteri Bottas will return to Mercedes for the 2025 Formula One season, serving as a reserve driver.
Valtteri Bottas, the calm and composed Finnish racer, is set to return to familiar territory in the Formula 1 paddock in 2025. After a decade of competing at the highest level, the 35-year-old will rejoin Mercedes, the team with which he enjoyed the most prolific years of his career. This time, however, Bottas will step into a reserve driver role, supporting George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as the Silver Arrows aim to regain their dominance in the sport.
Bottas’ journey back to Mercedes marks the latest chapter in an F1 career that began in 2013 with Williams. His steady rise through the ranks earned him a coveted seat at Mercedes in 2017, where he became an integral part of the team’s golden era alongside Lewis Hamilton. Over five seasons, Bottas notched up 10 grand prix victories and played a critical role in securing multiple constructors’ championships for the Brackley-based outfit. Yet, the transition wasn’t without its challenges, and in 2022, Bottas moved to Alfa Romeo Sauber, seeking a new chapter as Mercedes promoted George Russell to their main roster.
At Alfa Romeo, Bottas brought experience and resilience, helping the team navigate a turbulent era. But as the team’s evolution toward becoming Audi’s works squad in 2026 took shape, Bottas found himself on the sidelines. With the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, the now-renamed Stake F1 team opted for fresh faces to lead their campaign in 2025, leaving Bottas to explore his options.
Missing out on a full-time seat for the upcoming season might have spelled the end of a paddock presence for many drivers, but Bottas has found a way to remain connected to the sport he loves. In stepping into Mercedes’ reserve driver role, Bottas not only reunites with a team where he made history but also replaces Mick Schumacher, who has chosen to explore new opportunities. For Bottas, this move is not merely about staying involved but about reigniting the passion and potential that defined his years at Mercedes.
Reflecting on the announcement, Bottas spoke with heartfelt candor, calling his return to Mercedes a homecoming. “I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month,” he 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.”
Bottas’ connection to Mercedes runs deep, and the driver is keen to leverage his wealth of experience to contribute to the team’s ongoing mission. “Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1,” he explained. “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.”
For Mercedes, Bottas’ return is a testament to the bond that transcends driver contracts. Team Principal Toto Wolff has often praised Bottas for his professionalism, consistency, and team-oriented mindset—qualities that will undoubtedly serve Mercedes well in their 2025 campaign. As the Silver Arrows prepare to embrace the future with young talent like Kimi Antonelli, Bottas’ presence ensures a balance of wisdom and ambition within the team.
While his days as a full-time driver may be on pause, Valtteri Bottas remains a figure of immense respect and admiration in the F1 paddock. His return to Mercedes is not just a reunion but a chance to write another chapter in a storied career. The Finn may no longer be chasing checkered flags every weekend, but his contribution to the sport is far from over. As Mercedes sets its sights on reclaiming glory, Bottas will be there, steering from the sidelines, ready to make an impact once more.
