Valtteri Bottas is returning to Mercedes as their reserve driver for 2025.
The 35-year-old Finn was a free agent after being released by Audi-owned Sauber at the end of this season after three years with the Swiss team.
Bottas drove for Mercedes from 2017-21, winning 10 races and taking 20 pole positions. He will serve as backup to race driver George Russell and rookie Andrea Cami Antonelli.
Bottas said: “Coming back home to the Mercedes family as the third driver for 2025 is exciting and I couldn’t be happier.
“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know I still have a lot to contribute to F1.
“Ever since I was a five-year-old child growing up in Nastula, Finland, I have been focused on achieving success at the highest level of motorsport. I have been fortunate to have achieved many milestones in my 12 years of racing. Have enjoyed the surest moments in F1 so far.
“As I return to the place where so many of these moments were achieved, I look forward to using all the knowledge I gained to help the team perform and fight for the world championship. have achieved to help progress towards
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “It’s great to have (Bottas) back. His influence and contribution over the five years he was with us as our race driver was huge.
“As well as winning numerous Grand Prix, he was instrumental in our five championship victories.
“His technical feedback and input were instrumental in helping us achieve these successes and driving the team forward. Not only that, but he was also a wonderful colleague and team member.
“His sense of humor and personable nature made him a firm favorite with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth (Mercedes’ chassis and engine headquarters).
“In his role as reserve driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for the world championship and helping both Jorge and Kimi on track.”
Bottas said in the final race of the season that his switch to Suede was a “mistake”.
The Swiss team has been bought by Audi as part of their official entry into F1 in 2026. He preferred German veteran Nico Hulkenberg, who won the Formula 2 title this year, and Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoletto over Bottas.
