Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes as the team’s new third driver for the 2025 season.
The experienced Finn has been left without a race seat on the Formula 1 grid next year after he was released by Sauber and was expected to return to Mercedes, where he won 10 races as a team-mate to Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021, in a back-top role.
Mick Schumacher was a reserve driver on the team during the past two seasons, but the German announced his departure last month to pursue other opportunities in motorsport.
With Hamilton’s departure from the team to Ferrari, 18-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli took the vacant racing seat next to George Russell.
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve been asking over the past month,” Bottas said. “Returning to the Mercedes family as a third driver for 2025 is the next step and I couldn’t be happier.” The final weeks of the season were his desire to secure a race seat in Formula 1 from 2026.
“I want to thank Toto (Wolf), the Brackley team and everyone at Triple Star for welcoming me back with open arms.
“Despite the challenges I have faced in the last few years, I know I still have a lot to contribute to Formula 1. Since I was a five-year-old child growing up in Nastula, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success. I have been fortunate to have enjoyed Many great moments in his 12 years of racing in Formula 1 so far.
“As I return to the place where many of those moments were made, I look forward to using all the knowledge I have gained to help the team perform and move toward our goal of fighting for a World Championship.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said he was happy to see the popular Finn return, describing the 35-year-old’s impact on the team during his first five years with them – a period during which they won the Constructors’ Championship every year. Season – as “tremendous”.
“His feedback and technical input were important in helping us achieve those successes and move the team forward,” Wolff added.
“Not only that, he was also a great colleague and team member. His dry sense of humor and personable nature made him a favorite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.
“All of these qualities will be very important in helping us compete for the World Championship and supporting both George and Kimi on the right track.”
Watch all 24 weekends of the 2025 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
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