Former Mercedes driver drops major hint about his F1 future

Kick Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas claimed that returning to the Mercedes F1 team was an alternative for him for the 2025 season. The Finnish driver joined the Hinwil-based outfit at the beginning of the 2022 season after five successful seasons at the German team.

Despite competent performances over three years, the 10-time race winner's F1 future hangs by a thread, given the options for the Swiss team that would become Audi in 2026. Valtteri Bottas is in the running to retain his seat at Sauber but the team does have viable options in rookies like Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto to race alongside Nico Hulkenberg next year.

Ahead of the 2024 Mexico City GP, speaking with F1.com, Bottas confirmed that he was prioritizing a full-time race seat for next year but was open to being a reserve driver as well, saying:

“Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver, that’s what I want, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia. But, of course, as I don’t have anything signed – we’re in October – I’ve got to look at all the alternatives including going back to the Mercedes family."

"That’s for sure one option and I would consider it. But there’s other options as well, as well as going back to my priority, which is to be a race driver even more.”

Mercedes have already signed Kimi Antonelli and George Russell as their driver lineup for the 2025 season with the former replacing Lewis Hamilton at the team.

Kimi Antonelli to drive the Mercedes W15 in the FP1 session in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli stated that he was "looking forward" to driving for the German team in Lewis Hamilton's car in the FP1 session at the 2024 Mexico City GP on Friday. As per F1.com, the Italian said:

“I’m looking forward to driving in FP1 and playing my part in helping the team make a good start on track this weekend. It is a new circuit for me and one I have been working hard to prepare for. The altitude makes it unique and it’s a challenge I’m excited to experience. I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity to contribute.”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was also excited to bring Antonelli back in the W15 once again, saying:

“We look forward to seeing Kimi continue his development on track in Mexico.”

The 18-year-old had previously driven the W15 in the FP1 session at the Italian GP in September replacing George Russell in the session. However, despite showing some blistering pace early in the session, he could not do more than one and a half laps, crashing in the Parabolica corner and bringing his first outing in an F1 car to a premature end.