Fresh from being dropped by the Sauber Formula 1 team, Valtteri Bottas is set to return to one of his former teams, Mercedes-Benz AMG, in 2025 as a reserve driver.
The reserve role means Bottas will step in for one of Mercedes’ F1 drivers if they are unable to race. Reserve drivers regularly test a team’s cars to maintain familiarity and readiness for a potential race. They also contribute to simulator development efforts.
Although he hasn’t achieved much success in recent years, Bottas remains a skilled driver, boasting 10 wins, 20 pole positions, and 67 podium finishes in his career.
For the 2025 season, Mercedes will retain current driver George Russell, who will be joined by rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli is filling the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari next season.
Bottas debuted with Williams in 2013 and joined Mercedes in 2017, where he partnered with Hamilton. He was dropped from Mercedes at the end of 2021 and subsequently joined Sauber, which was competing as Alfa Romeo at the time. Bottas was dropped from Sauber at the end of the 2024 season, together with Zhou Guanyu. Guanyu’s future in F1 remains uncertain, though there is still one remaining seat. RB has a vacant seat after Red Bull Racing poached Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez.
Sauber, now owned by Audi and set to become the automaker’s factory team in 2026, has signed Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season.