Mercedes ready to release Bottas if opportunity arises elsewhere in 2025?

For the first time since 2013, there will be no Valtteri Bottas at the start of a season of Formula 1The Finn, not renewed by Sauber at the end of the 2024 campaign, has found refuge in his former home, Mercedes, where he will respect the role of reserve in 2025. A return to his roots for the 35-year-old driver who, even if he will be confined to the garage of the Silver Arrows this year, remains on the lookout for all the opportunities that could be offered to him. And according to the ten-time Grand Prix winner, the German team should not keep him if a Formula 1 team were to call on him this season.

"I think we both know, me and the team, that (…) we have to be dynamic [in the driver market], he told Sky Sports, on the sidelines of the presentation of the partnership between Mercedes and Adidas. Of course, at the moment I am fully committed to this season, I am giving everything I have for the team and trying to help as much as I can, but if there is an opportunity to drive [elsewhere], I doubt the team will step in. Let's take it race by race, start the season, and then we will see what this year offers us, and also what 2026 offers us." Recall that Valtteri Bottas could also be approached by the brand's customer teams, Williams and McLaren., in case of pepine with one of their two pilots.

With 246 Formula 1 Grand Prix wins, Williams, Mercedes and Sauber, Valtteri Bottas has rare experience in the paddock, experience that could be coveted by other teams and in particular... Cadillac, which will arrive on the grid in 2026. The Finn is one of the logical candidates for a seat in the new American team, but for the moment, Valtteri Bottas indicates that there have been no discussions with the Detroit firm on this subject. "No, I think they're still very busy setting up the team, the board and that kind of thing. Nothing yet, it's a little too early for that, but we'll see."

Bottas, Antonelli's new mentor at Mercedes?

Forced to watch the Grands Prix from the Mercedes pits, Valtteri Bottas will be responsible for helping the Silver Arrows and their drivers progress throughout the season, particularly young Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will be competing in his first season in Formula 1 at just 18 years old. The former Sauber driver assumes the role of "big brother" that he will have with the Italian rookie in 2025.

“Being [Antonelli’s] mentor is not too far from reality: when you’re a rookie and you join this sport, there are so many things you have to learn. I can definitely help him with that. My role will be to try to help the team as best I can, and of course, Kimi being a rookie, he’ll probably have more questions than George. The team will have two extra eyes during race weekends to look at the data, to attend briefings and so on. It’s going to be a busy year, different for me, but I’m looking forward to it.”

While waiting to (perhaps) find a Formula 1 seat, Valtteri Bottas will try his hand at other disciplines. He will notably be at the start of the Race of Champions, in Sydney (March 7-8), a few days before the Australian Grand Prix. The Finn had also indicated, at the end of 2024, that he would like to get back behind the wheel of a rally car in the coming months.

ALSO READ > Guanyu Zhou, the year of the rearing snake