In a long letter published by Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas shared his return to the German team, also discussing his new role
After spending several years away from the team with which he experienced great success, Bottas is back home. The Finnish driver has returned to Mercedes in the role of third driver, ready to support Russell and Antonelli. His first stint with the German team lasted from 2017 to 2021, before his ventures with Alfa Romeo and Sauber. Despite the years spent away, Bottas described this second chapter with Mercedes as “a return home“.
The return to Mercedes and his new role
In a letter published by Mercedes, Bottas shared his first impressions upon returning: “It feels like yesterday that I left, and walking through the gates of Brackley again last week was truly a special moment. As I walked through the factory, everyone stopped to chat, and it was really nice. It was amazing to reconnect with everyone and see the familiar faces I worked with in the past“.
Although he is not one of the twenty drivers on the grid, 2025 will be an important year for Bottas. The role of third driver will be crucial in the development of the W16: ” As third driver, I will be present at every race, involved in everything related to performance, both on and off the track. I’ll immerse myself in the data, watch George and Kimi’s on-board footage, providing an additional perspective. I also hope to continue driving and doing some testing “.
The relationship with Russell and Antonelli
In addition to working behind the scenes, Bottas will also support Russell and Antonelli throughout the season. Speaking about the two main drivers, the Finnish driver said: ” George is no longer a rookie; he already has a few years of experience and has proven he can win races and fight for titles. And then there’s Kimi. For him, it will be a steep learning curve. He’s very young, but he’s already shown talent and commitment. I’m sure that over the course of the year, he’ll ask me a few questions, and I’ll be there to answer them. He will also learn a lot from George. I can’t wait to see his growth and development this season “.
Photo: mercedesamgf1.com
