F1: Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes as reserve driver

He would subsequently join Sauber, then known as Alfa Romeo, for the 2022 season, after Mercedes decided to promote George Russell in his place. The Finn has had inconsistent results with the Swiss squad, ranging from a good 10th place in 2022 to failing to score at all in 2024.

When Kick Sauber decided not to re-sign Bottas in 2025 -Instead of a combination of Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, the Finn began discussions with Mercedes about a reserve role in order to remain in the conversation as he chases a racing return in 2026.

“Along with scoring multiple Grands Prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories. His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward. Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humour and personability made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth,” Toto Wolff, CEO of Mercedes said.

“In his role as Reserve Driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”

“Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased,” Bottas said.

“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1,” he added. “Since I was a 5-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.”