18/08/2025 19:10
Mercedes has indicated it is keen to continue a working
relationship with Valtteri Bottas if he doesn't secure a race seat
next year. Bottas returned to the Mercedes F1 organisation this
season, having raced for it alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to
2021. The Finnish driver is working in a test and development role
after parting ways with the Stake squad last season. Bottas is
hoping to return to a full-time driver role next year and is
believed to be a favourite for one of the Cadillac drives. Mercedes
is aware of Bottas' position in the driver market, but suggested it
is open to extending their partnership should the 35-year-old not
be signed a a 2026 race seat. "We know Valtteri's priority is to
try and find a race seat for 2026," Mercedes' chief communications
officer Bradley Lord told select media including RacingNews365 .
"He's eminently qualified to do that, and I'd say a front-running
candidate in that regard as well. "If that doesn't happen for
whatever reason, then we would be very open to looking at how we
can continue together. "But we know his priority is to do that, and
we hope that in hindsight, we will have been able to be a platform
for him to achieve that goal as well." Mercedes' form across the
last handful of seasons differs greatly from its position when
Bottas raced for the team. The squad is gearing towards a new era
next year under fresh technical regulations, as it hopes to return
to title-contending form. Included in the driver line-up is set to
be Mercedes' teenage protege, Kimi Antonelli, who has endured a
challenging rookie season with the squad. Lord highlighted Bottas
has played a major role in Antonelli's development this year, as
will has bringing a new perspective to the engineering meetings.
"It's been fantastic to have him back in the family at Mercedes,"
Lord stated. "Obviously, he was a cherished member of the team when
he drove for us. "And bringing him back, he's been able to bring
his experience and insights, his expert eye on the race weekend.
"Not just for Kimi and around that, but also for the engineers,
offering a drivers' perspective and things like that on a number of
different things. "We've had him work in the simulator as well, so
some of the work he has done there has been very valuable. "And
then also TPC testing and keeping him fresh and sharp, driving an
F1 car, but also performing that role too. "Although it's not the
performance priority, he's brought his lightness and sense of
humour into the team and into how we can communicate, but also
working with our partners and sponsors as well. "He's been a good
part of sharing that workload, knowing that that is a big
adjustment for a rookie driver. "So having Valtteri there has been
an important part of helping Kimi integrate into the world of F1
and adjust to it, and cope with its demands, too."
