Rumors have been swirling around Valtteri Bottas potentially returning to Mercedes for the F1 2025 season, but the Finnish driver remains rather unconvinced by this speculation. Here’s a closer look at what Bottas has been saying about a possible comeback and the current dynamics shaking up the F1 world.
- Valtteri Bottas, currently with Sauber, thinks a Mercedes return for 2025 doesn’t quite add up for him.
- With Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, Bottas’ name popped up as a potential replacement.
- Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is eyeing a team revamp, with young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the mix.
- Bottas has hinted he wouldn’t consider a Mercedes return unless it’s tied to a multi-year contract.
Valtteri Bottas has become the center of much speculation regarding a return to Mercedes for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite these swirling rumors, Bottas himself is skeptical about this prospect, stating that a return wouldn’t “make much sense” to him. While chatting with PlanetF1.com, Bottas emphasized that he would require more than a one-year deal to consider this move back to Mercedes.
With Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari creating a vacancy at Mercedes, Bottas’ name has emerged as a potential candidate. However, Bottas has consistently reiterated his standpoint, seemingly unenthusiastic about a one-year offer. His focus remains on a long-term commitment if he’s to make a comeback to the prestigious team.
Mercedes is in a state of transformation under the leadership of Toto Wolff. Expressing a desire to “reinvent” the team, Wolff has his sights set on young star Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Currently progressing in Formula 2, Antonelli could be a part of the team’s future, provided he proves ready for the top-tier challenge next season. Bottas, who previously secured ten victories with Mercedes, has been mentioned as an interim solution if Antonelli isn’t yet prepared.
Bottas’ current situation with Sauber, which is set to transition to Audi in 2026, adds to the complexity. As the future remains somewhat unclear, Bottas has signaled his openness to discussions with Mercedes—but only for a long-term arrangement. This stance was once again vocalized more recently, adding a layer of intrigue to the ongoing driver market maneuvers.
Meanwhile, the overall F1 landscape for 2025 is gradually coming into focus. Bottas pointed out that the driver market hinges significantly on Carlos Sainz’s decisions, as Sainz will be replaced by Hamilton at Ferrari. Bottas has suggested that once Sainz’s path is clear, the rest of the pieces will start to fall into place. As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Bottas has hinted that insights into his future will also likely emerge soon.
As the F1 2025 season takes shape, Bottas remains committed to long-term prospects rather than short-term rumors.
