Mercedes has announced that Valtteri Bottas will be rejoining their team next season as a reserve driver. This comes after his current contract with Sauber ends.
Bottas showed he still has speed this year, but Sauber’s car wasn’t up to the task, leaving him without points. Audi, now owning Sauber, saw potential in Bottas but opted for rising star Gabriel Bortoleto instead. It’s a tough break for Bottas.
Why Mercedes Chose Bottas
Next year, Bottas might not race in Formula 1 unless George Russell or Andrea Kimi Antonelli can’t compete. If that happens, Mercedes will have Bottas ready to step in. He knows the team well and can deliver good results quickly. Fans might think it’s smart to have someone so experienced on standby.
Behind the scenes, Bottas’ experience will help shape the new Mercedes-Benz W16 car for 2025. He can also guide Antonelli and maybe even Russell. If either of them struggles during the season, Bottas is there as a reliable backup.
Learning from Hulkenberg
Mercedes offers Bottas another shot at F1 glory, much like Nico Hulkenberg got with Haas F1 before moving to Audi. Perhaps Bottas dreams of a similar comeback story. Staying with Mercedes seems like a wise move while he waits for his next big break.
In the meantime, Bottas might explore other racing opportunities. With Lamborghini possibly leaving the World Endurance Championship, Iron Lynx needs a new partner. Mercedes-AMG could join them with an LMGT3-spec AMG GT3 EVO car. Imagine Bottas racing for Mercedes in both F1 and WEC!
Do you think this is a good move for Bottas?
