Wolff: “A matter of time” until Bottas returns to Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas looks set to stay in Formula 1, with a reserve driver role at former team Mercedes seemingly on the cusp of completion.
The Finn spent five years at Mercedes between 2017 and 2021 before moving to Alfa Romeo for 2022. He will depart the team since rebranded as Sauber at the end of 2024, as it replaces both of its current drivers.
Sauber has signed Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025, with Audi’s takeover completed in time to enter F1 from the following year.
Bottas had hoped to hang on to his seat but was the last driver on the current grid to learn his fate – although there now appears a level of certainty he will return to the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver, supporting full-time racers George Russell and teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“Nothing is signed, nothing is done, but if we were to have him back in the family, we all we would be all full of joy,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Viaplay ahead of qualifying at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“I mean, what you can say is that if you have the opportunity in having a pilot like Valtteri back in the Mercedes family, with his ability, with his most recent experience of these modern cars, you can deem yourself super lucky.”
Asked how much he would look forward to welcoming Bottas back, Wolff added: “Very much. You know negotiations at the end, lawyers always want to make contracts fail! I’m joking, they are great lawyers, and it’s a matter of time.”
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Bottas, 35, won 10 races as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate at Mercedes, twice finishing second in the drivers’ championship.
He has not finished higher than 13th this year in a difficult season for Sauber, and admitted earlier in the weekend that he felt he still had plenty to offer.
“The way my active F1 driving career ended for now, it wasn’t the best way that you can’t really decide yourself,” he said.
“I feel like still I have lots to give for the sport and I still love it. I love the racing against the best drivers in the world, in the best cars in the world. That’s what I love. So I’m just trying to figure out now what is the next move.
“I’m taking it day by day. There’s some interesting stuff on the table and then we’ll see. You know, life goes on. There’s lots of exciting things ahead. It’s a tricky sport.
“I think I got into a bit unlucky situation, in terms of hanging on to the last seat on the grid. And when that doesn’t happen, then obviously you’re out for now.”