Mercedes confirm Valtteri Bottas F1 driver seat RETURN

valtteri bottas, george russell, toto wolff, mercedes — Photo: © IMAGO

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Mercedes confirm Bottas F1 driver seat RETURN

Valtteri Bottas has returned to Mercedes for 2025

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 23 February 2025 16:58

Valtteri Bottas has made his race seat return with Mercedes after the Finn was caught stepping into the Formula 1 team’s 2025 challenger.

Following Lewis Hamilton’s exit from Mercedes in 2024, the Brackley-based outfit will field a youthful lineup for the upcoming season with George Russell and 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli.

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Whilst most teams decide to promote young talent to their reserve driver role, with the likes of Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson proving their abilities in this position, Mercedes have opted for experience in 2025.

Valtteri Bottas, who was axed from Sauber in 2024, was announced as Mercedes' reserve driver for the upcoming season and has already made several appearances with his old team.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will drive for Mercedes in 2025

Valtteri Bottas has returned to Mercedes

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What is Bottas’ new role at Mercedes?

Despite not featuring in their full-time lineup, Bottas’ role has been shared widely on social media, including his first seat fitting since his return to the team.

Bottas nestled into the cockpit of the 2025 car looking at home with his old team, where he complimented the comfort and said it 'still fits” with a wink to the camera.

The Finn will not only be on standby if Russell or Antonelli cannot compete one weekend, but the experienced race winner has also been brought on board to coach the youngsters.

Bottas will carry out simulator work in 2025, whilst also providing support to both Russell and Antonelli, with the latter limited in his F1 experience.

Mercedes will also be hoping to return to the championship fight, after picking up four race wins during the 2024 season.

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Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

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Lewis Hamilton Mercedes FIA George Russell Kimi Antonelli Valtteri Bottas