Mercedes on Thursday has confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will rejoin the group as a reserve driver for the 2025 season after the Finn and Kick Sauber parted methods following the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Bottas drove for Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton for 5 seasons from 2017 to 2021, incomes all ten of his profession wins and 20 pole positions in Components One.
He would subsequently be a part of Sauber, then referred to as Alfa Romeo, for the 2022 season, after Mercedes determined to advertise George Russell in his place. The Finn has had inconsistent outcomes with the Swiss squad, starting from a very good tenth place in 2022 to failing to attain in any respect in 2024.
When Kick Sauber determined to not re-sign Bottas in 2025 -As a substitute of a mix of Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, the Finn started discussions with Mercedes a couple of reserve position in an effort to stay within the dialog as he chases a racing return in 2026.
“Together with scoring a number of Grands Prix wins, he performed an important position in 5 of our championship victories. His technical suggestions and enter have been essential in serving to us to these successes and pushing the group ahead. Not solely that, however he was additionally a improbable colleague and group member. His dry sense of humour and personability made him a agency favorite with everybody at Brackley and Brixworth,” Toto Wolff, CEO of Mercedes stated.
“In his position as Reserve Driver, all these qualities might be extremely essential in serving to us compete for world championships and supporting each George and Kimi on observe.”
“Returning house to the Mercedes household as third driver for 2025 is what’s subsequent and I couldn’t be extra happy,” Bottas stated.
“Regardless of the challenges of the previous few years, I do know that I’ve nonetheless acquired a lot extra to contribute to F1,” he added. “Since I used to be a 5-year-old child rising up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on reaching success within the prime tier of motorsport.
“I’ve been lucky to have loved many unimaginable moments in my 12 years of racing in F1 to date. As I return to the place the place so lots of these moments have been achieved, I’m trying ahead to utilizing all of the data I’ve gained to assist the group to carry out and progress in the direction of our aim of preventing for world championships.”
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