Valtteri Bottas is returning to Mercedes as the team’s new reserve driver for the 2025 season.
The veteran Finn has been left without a race seat on next year’s Formula 1 grid after being released by Sauber and was expected to return to Mercedes, where he won 10 races as a teammate to Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.
Bottas replaces Mick Schumacher in the role of reserve driver after he announced his departure from the team last month to pursue other opportunities in German motorsport.
With Hamilton leaving the team for Ferrari, 18-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli handed over the vacant race seat next to George Russell.
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I answered last month. Returning to the Mercedes family as a third driver for 2025 is the next thing and I couldn’t be happier,” said Bottas.
“I want to thank Toto [Wolff]The Brackley team, and everyone at the Three-Pointed Star for welcoming me with open arms.
“Despite the challenges of the last few years, I know I still have a lot to contribute to F1. Since I was a five-year-old child growing up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success at the top level of motorsport. I have enjoyed many incredible moments in racing so far.
“As I return to the place where many of these moments were achieved, I look forward to using all the knowledge I have gained to help the team perform and progress towards the goal of challenging for the World Championship.”
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