Bottas' Mercedes reserve role could reignite F1 career path

Former Mercedes race winner's new reserve driver position may extend to customer teams Williams and McLaren, while Cadillac F1 entry presents potential race seat opportunity

Valtteri Bottas' return to Mercedes as reserve driver could offer more opportunities than initially anticipated, with the possibility of extending his duties to the team's power unit customers.

The Finnish driver's new role at Brackley marks a significant homecoming after his challenging stint at Sauber ended without points in 2024.

Back to Familiar Territory

The reunion with Mercedes places Bottas in a crucial position to support both George Russell and rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli throughout the 2025 season. His appointment provides Mercedes with valuable insurance, particularly given Antonelli's youth and inexperience at the highest level.

As Juan Pablo Montoya candidly described it, Mercedes is effectively "covering their arse" with this strategic move.

Expanding Responsibilities

Following the precedent set by Mick Schumacher in 2024, Bottas could find his services extended to both Williams and McLaren through Mercedes' established reserve driver sharing arrangement.

While McLaren maintains Pato O'Ward in their driver pool and Williams currently lacks an official reserve driver, both teams could benefit from Bottas' extensive experience and proven track record.

Looking Beyond 2025

Despite stepping back from a full-time race seat, Bottas remains focused on returning to the Formula 1 grid. The emergence of Cadillac's F1 project presents a particularly intriguing opportunity for the Finn. Under the leadership of Graeme Lowdon, the American outfit's entry could provide Bottas with his desired racing comeback.

"Well, there's going to be two more seats,"

Bottas shared with RacingNews365 in December, discussing the Cadillac possibility.

"They need drivers, they need experience. So, of course, that's very, very interesting."

A proven track record

Bottas' credentials make him an attractive prospect for any team seeking experienced talent. His previous tenure at Mercedes yielded impressive results, including 10 Grand Prix victories, 67 podium finishes, and a remarkable streak of 103 consecutive Q3 appearances.

The Finn's championship runner-up positions in 2019 and 2020 further underscore his capabilities.

Upon rejoining Mercedes, Bottas expressed his continued passion for the sport:

"Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I've still got so much more to contribute to F1. Since I was a five-year-old kid growing up in Finland, my focus has been on achieving success in the top tier of motorsport."