Valtteri Bottas is not ready to walk away from Formula 1 just yet. After Sauber’s decision not to extend his contract, the 35-year-old Finn has found a new home at Mercedes, rejoining the team where he previously spent five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton.
Announced as Mercedes’ full-time reserve driver, Bottas has made it clear that his F1 journey isn’t over.
“Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know I’ve still got so much more to contribute to F1.”
And it appears that his role won’t just be limited to the Silver Arrows.
Bottas Set to Cover for Williams and McLaren
According to multiple reports and inside sources, Bottas’ reserve duties will extend beyond Mercedes, with customer teams Williams and McLaren potentially calling on the Finn if needed throughout the season.
Why Williams Needs Bottas
Williams originally planned to rely on Franco Colapinto as a potential stand-in, but his switch to Alpine left the team scrambling for another option. Their next available reserve, Luke Browning, is not yet considered ready for an F1 race seat.
Enter Bottas, who made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013 and could be the perfect candidate to step in should either Alex Albon or Logan Sargeant be unavailable.
McLaren’s Backup Plan
McLaren’s official reserve driver, Pato O’Ward, remains committed to IndyCar, which creates availability concerns when F1 races clash with the U.S. series calendar.
With no immediate alternative, Bottas could be drafted into McLaren’s lineup if needed—further increasing his on-call responsibilities for the 2025 season.
Aston Martin Has Its Own Option
Aston Martin, Mercedes’ other engine customer, will not be relying on Bottas, as the team has its own full-time reserve, Felipe Drugovich.
Red Bull Faces Reserve Driver Conundrum
While Bottas’ future is secure within Mercedes’ orbit, Red Bull is facing a trickier situation when it comes to backup options.
With Liam Lawson promoted to the senior team alongside Max Verstappen, Red Bull lacks a clear reserve driver for 2025.
🚨 Possible Red Bull Backup Plan:
- If Verstappen or Lawson are unavailable, Yuki Tsunoda (currently driving for Racing Bulls) is expected to be called up to Red Bull.
- That would leave Racing Bulls with a vacancy, likely to be filled by Ayumu Iwasa, Red Bull’s leading junior prospect.
Bottas to Drive Classic Mercedes DTM Car Before F1 Duties Begin
Before officially stepping into his new reserve role, Bottas will return to Mercedes power in a different setting.
He is set to drive a 1980s-spec DTM touring car at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival, just ahead of the 2025 season opener in Australia.
When Does the 2025 F1 Season Start?
The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
🔹 Pre-season testing: Bahrain, February 26-28
🔹 First race: Melbourne, March 16
With a busy season ahead, Bottas may find himself behind the wheel of an F1 car sooner than expected, whether for Mercedes, Williams, or McLaren.
