Valtteri Bottas drops three-word response after re-signing for Mercedes in 2025

Valtteri Bottas shared his thoughts after his Mercedes return for 2025 was confirmed. The Finnish Formula 1 driver lost his Sauber seat at the end of this season and has now signed for Mercedes as the team's reserve driver from next season onwards.

After spending three underwhelming years with Sauber (formerly Alfa Romeo) Bottas is back to square one as he returns to the Silver Arrows. The 35-year-old driver left the Brackley-based team at the end of 2021 and moved to Sauber to race alongside Zhou Guanyu.

Addressing his return to Toto Wolff's team, the #77 driver took to his official X account to share his thoughts. He quote-tweeted Mercedes F1 Team's official announcement post on him, and wrote:

"I'm coming home."

Bottas will be in simulation and reserve driver duty behind drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. It was Russell who replaced Bottas at Mercedes in 2022, and Antonelli will join the German team as Lewis Hamilton's replacement after the seven-time world champion officially moves to Ferrari in 2025.

The Finnish Formula 1 driver, on the other hand, lost his Kick Sauber seat after the Hinwil-based team decided to form its team in 2025 with former Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, and newly crowned F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

Valtteri Bottas recently completed his 12th season in Formula 1 and third with Sauber. He wrapped up his season without a point and finished in a lowly 22nd place. Compared to him, Zhou Guanyu managed to score four points in as many races.

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Valtteri Bottas let his feelings known after Mercedes return update

Valtteri Bottas took to his official X account to share his feelings ahead of his Mercedes return next season. The Finnish driver is a former Mercedes driver, and his return to Brackley is nothing short of an emotional ordeal.

#44, Lewis Hamilton, GBR and #77, Valtteri Bottas, FIN, Mercedes AMG F1 Team during the Grand Prix Formula 1 of Abu Dhabi, at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 - Source: Getty

Here's what he wrote about the latest update:

"I’m happy to finally answer the question I’ve posed over the past month. Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what’s next and I couldn’t be more pleased. I want to thank toto, the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms."

"Despite the challenges of the past few years, I know that I’ve still got so much more to contribute to f1. Since I was a five-year-old kid growing up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on achieving success in the top tier of motorsport. I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible moments in my 12 years of racing in f1 so far."

Valtteri Bottas arrived at Mercedes in 2017 and replaced Nico Rosberg following the latter's retirement. Throughout his Silver Arrows days, he claimed 10 Grand Prix wins, helped Mercedes claim five constructors' championships, and Lewis Hamilton four drivers' titles.