Bottas will also serve as a reserve driver for McLaren and Williams in 2025.

Bottas will also serve as a reserve driver for McLaren and Williams in 2025.

      Valtteri Bottas’ prospects of making a return to the Formula 1 grid this year might be three times greater than previously estimated. Just before Christmas, Audi-owned Sauber decided not to extend its racing agreement with the Finn, leading Mercedes to announce that Bottas would return to Brackley as a full-time reserve driver for 2025. "Even with the challenges I've faced over the past few years, I believe I still have much to offer F1," he stated at that time.

      The 35-year-old, currently enjoying a holiday and cycling in Australia, will celebrate his return to Mercedes power by driving an 80s-spec DTM touring car at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival right before the 2025 season begins. Recent reports suggest that Bottas might have triple the chances of racing with Mercedes F1 power in 2025, as he is also on standby for Mercedes customer teams Williams and McLaren.

      According to Speed Week, following Franco Colapinto’s move to Alpine, Luke Browning, the next candidate at Williams, isn't yet prepared for F1 reserve duties. On the other hand, Pato O’Ward, McLaren’s top reserve choice, is often unavailable due to his commitments as an Indycar driver. Mercedes-powered Aston Martin has its own full-time reserve, Felipe Drugovich.

      In contrast, Red Bull is facing a tougher situation, as Liam Lawson has been promoted from his previous reserve role to race first with Racing Bulls in 2024 and now as Max Verstappen’s teammate. Consequently, it is believed that Yuki Tsunoda will be removed from his Racing Bulls seat this year in case either Verstappen or Lawson is unable to compete, with Ayumu Iwasa expected to take his place at the Faenza-based team.

Bottas will also serve as a reserve driver for McLaren and Williams in 2025.

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Bottas will also serve as a reserve driver for McLaren and Williams in 2025.

Formula 1 | Valtteri Bottas' likelihood of making a comeback to the Formula 1 grid this year could be three times greater than previously assumed. Just prior to (…)