On Thursday, Mercedes confirmed Valtteri Bottas’ contract as the team’s reserve driver.
Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas (front) know each other inside out. Mercedes-Benz AG
Valtteri Bottas has known for a while that he will be touring the circuits of the next F1 season in the role of Mersu’s backup driver.
The final confirmation came in an email sent on Thursday at exactly 12:00 PM UK time.
– Even though there are a few challenging years behind me, I know that I still have a lot to give to F1. I have been lucky because I have been able to enjoy incredible moments during my 12-year career, Bottas said in Mersu’s press release.
– I want to use all the information I have gathered to help the team move forward and fight for world championships.
In practice, therefore, the Finn has to be on duty in the GP pit for all 24 races. Of course, he will certainly be paid a competitive compensation for it.
– I want to thank Toto (team manager Toto Wolff) and everyone at Mercedes for welcoming me back.
Wolff worked as Bottas’ manager before his team boss, so the relationship between the two is deep and also covers issues outside of track racing.
The Austrian has always appreciated the Nastolan’s attitude to work.
– Valtteri had a huge impact in the five years he raced for Mercedes. In addition to numerous GP victories, he played a decisive role in five manufacturers’ world championships, Wolff began.
– His technical feedback helped the team develop.
You can see from Wolff’s words that it is not only about the return of a valued employee. He is clearly talking about his friend.
– He is a fantastic colleague and team member. Valtteri’s dry humor and easy-going nature made him a favorite of everyone in Brackley (the team’s home town) and Brixworth (where Mersu engines are built), Wolff continued.
– Those qualities are incredibly important for us in the championship fight and also support George (Russell) and Kimi (Antonelli) on the track.