Valtteri Bottas has re-joined Mercedes as reserve driver for 2025 F1 season.
Bottas previously drove for Mercedes between 2017-21 seasons during which he took 10 Grand Prix victories plus 48 further podium finishes, plus four top-three championship finishes in five seasons.
The Finnish driver though is returning to the Brackley-based constructor after three seasons with Sauber, of which he failed to score a single point in 2024.
Mercedes nevertheless re-signed Bottas to provide experience alongside George Russell and rookie, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with Bottas “happy” to be back with the team.
“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.”
Team Principal, Toto Wolff added: “Valtteri’s impact and contribution in the five years he was us previously as our race driver was immense.
“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 success and pushing the team forward,” continued Toto.
“Not only that, but he was also a fantastic colleague and team member. His dry sense of humour and personable nature made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.”
And with the youngest average age driver line-up on the grid for 2025, the 35-year-old’s experience will prove invaluable.
Toto 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.
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