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The Bottas Renaissance: Mercedes Return, Nude Calendar Ban, and a New Role in 2025

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
February 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Valtteri Bottas Eyes F1 Return with General Motors: “The Door Is Always Open” dismisses Red Bull move

Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - November 23, 2024 Sauber's Valtteri Bottas during the drivers parade before the race REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

After three years of freedom from Mercedes’ corporate PR machine, Valtteri Bottas has returned to Brackley, but don’t expect the same driver who left at the end of 2021. Since parting ways with the Silver Arrows, Bottas has grown a mullet, embraced his inner comedian, and even released a viral nude calendar, all while becoming one of F1’s most entertaining personalities.

But with his Mercedes comeback now official, Team Principal Toto Wolff has laid down some ground rules—no more nude calendars, but the mullet stays.


Bottas’ Wild Three-Year Transformation—From Mercedes No. 2 to F1’s Funniest Star

During his five-year stint at Mercedes, Bottas was often overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton, filling the role of a loyal No. 2 driver. Every season, he would come back rejuvenated, ready to challenge Hamilton, but ultimately, he was unable to mount a true title fight.

When George Russell replaced him in 2022, Bottas landed at Alfa Romeo (now STAKE F1 Team Sauber)—a move that took him out of podium contention but into a new era of self-expression.

🔹 Grew a mullet and mustache—instantly becoming F1’s most recognizable driver off-track.
🔹 Became a social media icon, sharing hilarious behind-the-scenes content that made him a fan favorite.
🔹 Launched a viral nude calendar—after his cheeky photos went viral on Netflix’s Drive to Survive, he embraced the joke and turned it into a charity fundraiser, generating $150,000.
🔹 Created a “body double” skit, where a lookalike handles his daily chores, further cementing his place as F1’s funniest driver.

For a sport known for stiff corporate PR, Bottas was a breath of fresh air, showing genuine personality while still competing at the highest level.

But now, as he prepares to rejoin the Silver Arrows, the question is: Will Mercedes allow “Valtteri 3.0” to shine, or will the corporate restrictions return?


Mercedes Puts the Brakes on Bottas’ Calendar Business

While Wolff seems open to letting Bottas keep his new persona, some things are off the table—namely, the nude calendar business.

“We are Mercedes, so maybe the nude calendar is not on anymore,” Wolff told the media. “So, we’ve said that, but we need to keep him authentic. And if he wants to keep the ugly mullet, then he should.”

In other words—Mercedes can handle the mullet, but not the mooning.

For fans who loved Bottas’ unfiltered personality, this could mean a slight dialing back of his antics, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever return to the PR-friendly, emotionless Bottas of his first Mercedes run.


Bottas’ New Role: Mentor or Safety Net for Antonelli?

Beyond his driving duties, Bottas will take on a crucial new role—mentoring Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.

With Hamilton gone and Mercedes’ future hinging on Antonelli’s development, Bottas is seen as a stabilizing force within the team.

“Part of the role of Valtteri will be to have a look at Kimi. [He’ll] be there to coach, be there to have an eye on what’s happening on the track. And Kimi is going to learn from Valtteri and from George.”

While Antonelli is being hyped as the next Verstappen, former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya believes that if the Italian struggles, Bottas could find himself in a full-time seat sooner than expected.

“If he doesn’t deliver, that’s tough. My reading is that with Bottas, Mercedes would be covering their ass.”

That makes Bottas a safety net, ready to step in if Antonelli can’t handle the pressure of an F1 seat so early in his career.


Can Bottas Help Bring Mercedes Back to Glory?

When Bottas left in 2021, Mercedes was still a dominant force. But since then, the Silver Arrows have slipped behind Red Bull and even McLaren and Ferrari at times.

Now, Bottas returns to a team in rebuilding mode, and while Russell is expected to lead the charge, his role as mentor and potential backup driver could be more valuable than people realize.

His five seasons at Mercedes (2017-2021) were filled with team success, helping the team win five consecutive Constructors’ Championships. Now, with Mercedes struggling, the hope is that Bottas can bring stability and experience back to the garage.


Final Thoughts: A Different Bottas Returns to Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas’ return to Mercedes is one of the most fascinating F1 storylines of 2025.

✔️ He’s no longer the corporate, PR-controlled No. 2 driver—he’s a fan-favorite, short-shorts-wearing, mullet-rocking personality.
✔️ He won’t be Hamilton’s wingman—he’s now tasked with mentoring Antonelli while keeping an eye on Russell.
✔️ If Antonelli struggles, Bottas could sneak into a full-time seat, making this move far more strategic than it appears.

While Mercedes has drawn the line on the nude calendars, Bottas is still bringing his refreshed personality to the team—and if he can help turn their fortunes around, his comeback could be one of the great F1 redemption arcs.

One thing’s for sure—F1 just got a lot more interesting.

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