The Finn, not confirmed by Sauber, will be the tester and reserve driver for the German team with which he achieved 10 career victories. Valtteri: “I’m going back to where I experienced special moments”. Wolff: “He will make a special contribution”
Valtteri Bottas will not definitively leave the world of F1. Not confirmed by the Stake Sauber team at the end of 2024, the Finnish driver will return to Mercedes, the team with which he achieved the best results in his career: 10 victories in the Circus and two second places in the world championship, always behind Lewis Hamilton between 2019 and 2020. throughout 2025 in the German team he will play the role of third driver, previously occupied by Mick Schumacher, ready to support the owners George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. An emotional return for Bottas, as emerges from the press release released by Mercedes.
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Bottas talks about his satisfaction: “I am happy to have finally found an answer to the question that has been tormenting me for a month. I will return home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 and I couldn’t be happier.” Valtteri continues: “I want to thank Wolff, the Brackley team and everyone who works for the Three-Pointed Star for still welcoming me with open arms. Despite the challenges of recent years, I know I still have a lot to offer F1.” Then the driver recalls: “Ever since I was a five-year-old child in Nastola, Finland, my dream was to reach the top in motorsport. I have been lucky to experience incredible moments in 12 years of F1. Coming back here is a thrill incredible. I can’t wait to use all my accumulated experience to help the team fight for the World Championship.”
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Toto Wolff was also satisfied. The Mercedes team principal reunites with the driver with whom he won five consecutive constructors’ titles between 2017 and 2021: “Welcome home, Valtteri! Your impact and contribution during the five years you have spent with us has been enormous. In addition to achieving memorable successes, you played a fundamental role in the Constructors’ World Championships won. Your technical feedback and work behind the scenes were crucial in getting us to the top.” Adds Wolff: “It wasn’t just the driver that we missed – your sense of humor and warm nature made you a much-loved member of Brackley and Brixworth. These qualities will be essential to help us compete for world titles and support both George and Kimi on the track. We are confident that you will make an extraordinary contribution.”
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