How Wolff and Mercedes helped Bottas secure a seat with Cadillac

Valtteri Bottas will return to the Formula 1 grid full-time from next season. The third driver for Mercedes is grateful to the German team for the opportunities.

After parting ways with Sauber at the end of 2024, the Finn returned to his old team, Mercedes. He took on the role of reserve driver, allowing him to remain closely involved in the F1 paddock.

In a press moment after the announcement on Tuesday with both Cadillac drivers, GPblog asked Bottas what he gained from with Mercedes in this role.

Bottas reflects on his role as third driver at Mercedes

“Yeah, I think for me, of course, when I kind of tried to do the planning, you know, how to get back to full-time racing, it was definitely the right thing to do. And again, like, big thanks to Mercedes for giving me the opportunity to be in that role, you know, to be heavily involved. Not just at the race weekends, but even outside the race weekends with the sim work, with some testing, even working with some of the 2026 stuff."

Because of his role as a third driver at the German team, Bottas could stay in the picture with other teams.“I've also seen the sport now from the other side. Before, I've been just in the car, in the zone with one or maximum two contacts from the car, but now I've been able to see the whole big picture, how the whole team operates during the race weekend from that side. I think that's given me some good knowledge as well for the future."

Valtteri Bottas is grateful to Mercedes

Adapting that role, according to the Finn, was the right career choice. “It has allowed me to be present, see the development of the sport as it is always evolving. And like I said, one of the biggest things for me is to still get to drive a bit, to keep sharp on that side. So yeah, that was really, really an important decision for my career and definitely the right one."

“But of course, end of the year, sad again to leave Mercedes, but it's been a really valuable and good year. We still have time left with them, and I'll keep sharp and keep my reserve role as planned. Everything in the end worked out perfectly because I knew that the number one thing I wanted to do was to race in Formula One,” said Bottas.

The Cadillac CEO, Graeme Lowdon, also wanted to express his gratitude to Mercedes, and in particular, to Toto Wolff. “One final thing I'd like to add on record is our thanks to everybody at Mercedes and, in particular, Toto. They've been very helpful in our discussions with Valtteri and organising a good handover at the right time as well."

"I think I have a lot of respect for Mercedes, and it's good to see that respect from them as well. For Valtteri, I think everyone wants to see him racing on the grid again, and Toto has been very helpful with that, so I just wanted to put that on record," said the Cadillac team boss.