Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes in new F1 role as Lewis Hamilton misses out on reunion
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Valtteri Bottas is returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2025 season after losing his seat with Sauber.
The Finnish driver was not kept on by Sauber for the upcoming season and there were no other seats available on the 2025 F1 grid.
Bottas coy about his next step during the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, insisting he wanted to try and stay in the sport.
Reports suggested he was in contention to join Mercedes as their new reserve driver with Mick Schumacher choosing to leave the role.
Valtteri Bottas helped Mercedes win multiple Constructors' Championships
GETTY
It's now been confirmed by the Silver Arrows that Bottas will return to the team he helped win five Constructors' Championships alongside Lewis Hamilton.
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month," Bottas said.
"Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased.
"I want to thank Toto, the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms.
“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1.
"Since I was a five-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.”
Valtteri Bottas lost his seat at Sauber
PA
Toto Wolff welcomed his former driver back with open arms and feels the 35-year-old's experience will come in handy next year for George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
"His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those success and pushing the team forward," Wolff said.
"Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member.
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Lewis Hamilton had a strong relationship with Valtteri Bottas during their time at Mercedes togetherPA"His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth."
He added: "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.
"Welcome home, Valtteri! It's great to have you back."
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