Valtteri Bottas is targeting a return to full-time racing (Image: Getty)
believes that ‘won’t stand in his way’ if a race seat becomes available during the 2025 season or for the 2026 campaign.
The experienced Finn is facing a season on the sidelines as a test and reserve driver after leaving Sauber at the end of the 2024 campaign. The 10-time Grand Prix winner was replaced by reigning Formula Two champion Gabriel Bortoleto, leaving him without a drive for 2025.
Bottas has now been brought back into the fold at , where he spent five seasons and contributed to five Constructors’ Championship titles. However, the 35-year-old is still targeting a return to full-time racing in F1 and believes that his new employers will facilitate his goals.
“We both know, me and the team, that we’ve got to be dynamic,” Bottas told Sky Sports F1 when asked about a possible move back into full-time racing. “Of course, at the moment, I’m fully committed for the year, giving everything I have for the team and trying to help the best I can.
“But if there’s an opportunity to race, I doubt the team would stand in between that, so let’s see. Let’s first take it race by race, get the season started, and then we will see what the year brings – and also what ’26 brings.”
Bottas’ name has been circulated as a possible option for Cadillac, who will join the grid as F1’s 11th team in 2026. One seat is expected to go the way of IndyCar sensation Colton Herta, but Mario Andretti has admitted that the American squad are looking for an experienced head to partner him.
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Bottas has been tasked with mentoring Kimi Antonelli (Image: Getty)
“No, I think they’ve been very busy with actually setting up the team, setting [up] the board, and all these kinds of things,” Bottas explained when asked about a possible move. “So, no, nothing yet. It’s a bit too early for that, but that’s it.”
With no guaranteed return to the grid in the pipeline as of yet, Bottas will focus on his work with in 2025. The Finn is set to mentor rookie signing Kimi Antonelli, who faces the daunting task of filling ’s boots.
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Addressing his new position within the team, Bottas said: “I think mentor isn’t too far off. When you’re a rookie, when you join the sport, there’s so many new things you’ve got to learn. I can definitely help with that. My job is to try and help the team the best I can. Kimi is a rookie so he will probably have more questions than George [Russell].
“The team will have an extra pair of hands during the race weekend looking at the data, looking at the driving lines, stuff like that. I will be involved in all of the meetings – technical stuff – and help a lot in the simulator. So things like that. It’s going to be a busy year. A different one for me but looking forward.”