Valtteri Bottas has rejoined Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2025 season (Image: Getty)
could be back on the Formula One grid sooner than expected if or are unable to race, due to a long-standing agreement.
The Finn for the 2025 season – some four years after leaving the team.
Bottas lost his seat with Sauber as the team prepare for their transition to Audi, having hired and Gabriel Bortoleto to form a brand-new driver lineup.
The 35-year-old has opted to take a backseat role with boss handing him a lifeline as the pair enjoy a solid working relationship from their previous spell between 2017 and 2021.
As a 10-time race winner and previous runner of -powered engines, Bottas will offer the team a safe pair of hands behind the wheel if required, as well as providing feedback from the garage.
Bottas can step in to replace and Kimi Antonelli – the 18-year-old rookie who has been dubbed the sport’s next – at short notice.
However, Bottas’ services will also be available to two other teams, and Williams, providing their needs do not clash with the German manufacturer.
According to , there is no formal agreement in place to ratify their arrangement, but the three teams will be able to share Bottas between them this year.
Lando Norris is one of the drivers Valtteri Bottas can replace (Image: Getty)
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That means if Norris, Sainz, Oscar Piastri or are incapacitated, he can step into their respective cars.
In the past, and Williams both had the option to rely upon the reserve driver pool as part of their collaboration and power unit partnership.
Mick Schumacher was the reserve driver for the Brackley-based squad in 2024 and, while the German was not asked to step in, the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher would have been eligible to drive for Williams if they needed him.
Despite Bottas’ past experience at , it is not expected that he would be drafted in to replace Antonelli if he struggles. The youngster crashed in brief drive during FP1 at Monza last season and has only raced at Formula Two level.
Valtteri Bottas left Mercedes in 2021 after four years with the team (Image: Getty)
But when announcing the deal, Wolff said that Bottas he would be there to “support” Russell and Antonelli.
“His impact and contribution in the five years he was with us previously as our race driver was immense,” the Austrian said.
“Along with scoring multiple Grands Prix wins, he played a vital role in five of our championship victories., His technical feedback and input were important in helping us to those successes and pushing the team forward.
“In his role as Reserve Driver, all those qualities will be incredibly important in helping us compete for world championships and supporting both George and Kimi on track.”