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Valtteri Bottas may rejoin Mercedes in 2025, not only as a reserve driver but potentially as a personal adviser to team principal Toto Wolff, according to former F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi.
Bottas, currently with Audi F1, is expected to be without a race seat next season after the team confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate for 2025. With no seats available elsewhere on the grid, Bottas is set to step away from full-time racing after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, concluding a career that began in 2013 with Williams.
During his tenure with Mercedes (2017-2021), Bottas secured 10 Grand Prix victories and played a crucial role in the team’s five consecutive Constructors’ Championship wins. Now, the Finnish driver appears open to returning to his former team in a new capacity.
“Returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver is something I would consider,” Bottas told reporters during last month’s Mexican Grand Prix, before Audi F1 confirmed his departure.
Potential Advisory Role
Fittipaldi suggested that Bottas’s role at Mercedes could extend beyond reserve duties. Speaking on a Brazilian podcast, he said: “We hear from close friends that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is even bringing his former winning driver on board as his personal adviser.”
The move could strengthen Mercedes’ leadership team, which lost Jerome d’Ambrosio earlier this year when he joined Ferrari as deputy team principal. Bottas’s strong relationship with Wolff, who resumed managing the driver after his Mercedes exit, adds weight to this possibility.
Mercedes Looks Ahead
Mercedes will field one of the youngest lineups in 2025, pairing George Russell with 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Bottas’s experience could be invaluable in supporting the team’s driver development and strategic planning.
Bottas Reflects on His Future
Ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Bottas expressed his desire to remain in F1, emphasizing his passion for the sport.
“The way my active F1 driving career ended for now, it wasn’t the best,” he admitted. “I feel like I still have lots to give to the sport… There’s some interesting stuff on the table, and we’ll see.”
While Bottas has ruled out immediate moves to IndyCar or endurance racing, he remains focused on securing a return to a race seat in 2026 when Audi takes over the Sauber operation.
“For now, jumping into a new category feels too quick,” Bottas said. “I think it would be more realistic to consider that from 2026 if I can’t find a seat in F1 by then.”
Zhou Guanyu Eyes Ferrari Reserve Role
Meanwhile, Bottas’s current teammate Zhou Guanyu is reportedly in talks with Ferrari for a reserve role in 2025. Zhou confirmed ongoing discussions in Las Vegas, saying, “For the reserve role, [Ferrari] showed some interest, so we are discussing it… I just want to be in a team with a competitive car to continue learning.”
As F1’s 2025 grid takes shape, both Bottas and Zhou are exploring their options to remain connected to the sport they love.
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