Will Bottas become Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes?
F1 News
Valtteri Bottas is keeping the door open for a return to Mercedes. According to the Finn, the relationship is still good and there would be no team he could not go to, should Audi's project fail.
With the departure of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, the Silly Season for 2025 got underway early. The day before Mercedes' announcement, Bottas also happened to be in Brackley. Bottas was not there to sign a new deal with his former team, but does not completely rule out a return either.
Bottas could return to Mercedes
"It’s no lie, I was in Brackley the day before [the announcement] actually, not at Mercedes but I was there, doing some other stuff. No, we haven’t spoken on the phone yet with Toto [Wolff]. If I would go back? Obviously my priority and biggest commitment is the Audi project, which is my target," the Stake driver revealed during the launch of the new C44.
However, a return is not ruled out according to Bottas. ''If that wouldn’t happen [the Audi project] then there’s no team I wouldn’t go, let’s say, perhaps. But I know my priorities and I’ve got my list. As far as I know, no burnt bridges [at Mercedes].''
Mercedes will have to look for a replacement for Hamilton before 2025. George Russell is stuck with the team until 2025, though. Bottas drove for the German racing stable in between 2017 and 2021, winning 10 Grands Prix in that time. The Finn was eventually replaced by Russell in 2022, after which Bottas left for Alfa Romeo, racing in 2024 under the name Stake F1 Team.