Bottas returning to Mercedes as reserve driver

Valtteri Bottas is returning to Mercedes arsenic their reserve driver for 2025.

The 35-year-old Finn was a free supplier aft being released by Audi-owned Sauber astatine the extremity of this play pursuing 3 years pinch the Swiss team.

Bottas drove for Mercedes from 2017-21, winning 10 races and taking 20 rod positions. He will service arsenic back-up for title drivers George Russell and novice Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Bottas said: "Returning location to the Mercedes family arsenic 3rd driver for 2025 is what's adjacent and I couldn't beryllium much pleased.

"Despite the challenges of the past fewer years, I cognize that I've still sewage truthful overmuch much to lend to F1.

"Since I was a five-year-old kid increasing up successful Nastola, Finland, my attraction has been connected achieving occurrence successful the apical tier of motorsport. I've been fortunate to person enjoyed galore unthinkable moments successful my 12 years of racing successful F1 truthful far.

"As I return to the spot wherever truthful galore of those moments were achieved, I'm looking guardant to utilizing each the knowledge I've gained to thief the squad to execute and advancement towards our extremity of fighting for world championships."

Mercedes squad main Toto Wolff said: "It's awesome to person [Bottas] back. His effect and publication successful the 5 years he was pinch america antecedently arsenic our title driver was immense.

"Along pinch scoring aggregate expansive prix wins, he played a captious domiciled successful 5 of our title victories.

"His method feedback and input were important successful helping america to those successes and pushing the squad forward. Not only that, but he was besides a awesome workfellow and squad member.

"His barren consciousness of humour and personable quality made him a patient favourite pinch everyone astatine Brackley and Brixworth [Mercedes' chassis and motor headquarters].

"In his domiciled arsenic reserve driver, each those qualities will beryllium incredibly important successful helping america compete for world championships and supporting some George and Kimi connected track."

Bottas said astatine the last title of the play that his move to Sauber had been "a mistake".

The Swiss squad has been bought by Audi arsenic the ground for their charismatic introduction to F1 successful 2026. They preferred German seasoned Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian novice Gabriel Bortoleto, who won the Formula 2 title this year, to Bottas.