Mercedes has confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will be back in the Formula 1 paddock in 2025 as reserve driver.
Although the team has given no details on his duties there will be a more extensive Pirelli test programme in preparation for 2026, and thus the Finn is likely to get some mileage doing via that.
It remains to be seen how many of the 24 races he will attend. Usually reserves have to be on site at flyaway races, but can wait at home on standby in Europe.
Bottas had high hopes of being retained by Sauber/Audi until the Swiss outfit confirmed that that it had opted for youth in Gabriel Bortoleto.
“I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month,” he 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 [Wolff], 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. “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.”
Wolff, who managed the early career of Bottas before he was obliged to step aside, has made his admiration clear.
“His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense,” said the Austrian.
“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 personable nature made him a firm favourite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.
“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.”
Adam Cooper F1 