Valtteri Bottas, the seasoned Finnish driver, has expressed his openness to returning to a full-time racing seat in Formula 1, while also embracing his role as a mentor to rookie driver Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes for the 2025 season.
Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner, finds himself on the sidelines this year after leaving Sauber, where he was replaced by Formula Two champion Gabriel Bortoleto.
Despite the lack of a current race seat, Bottas, who contributed to five Constructors’ Championship titles during his previous five-year stint with Mercedes, believes the team will support his ambitions to race again.
“We both know, me and the team, that we’ve got to be dynamic,” Bottas told Sky Sports F1. “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.”
The Finn’s name has been linked to Cadillac, which will join the F1 grid in 2026. While Colton Herta is expected to take one seat, Cadillac has hinted at seeking an experienced driver to partner him.
Bottas, however, indicated that discussions with Cadillac are still in their early stages.
“No, I think they’ve been very busy with actually setting up the team, setting [up] the board, and all these kinds of things,” he explained.
In the meantime, Bottas is focusing on his role at Mercedes, where he will mentor young Kimi Antonelli, who faces the significant challenge of filling the void left by Lewis Hamilton.
“I think mentor isn’t too far off,” Bottas commented. “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].”
Bottas’ responsibilities will include assisting Antonelli with data analysis, driving lines, and simulator work.
He will also participate in technical meetings, offering his experience and insights to the team.
“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,”
Bottas added. “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.”
While his future on the grid remains uncertain, Bottas appears content with his current role at Mercedes, ready to support the team and guide their young driver while keeping an eye out for potential racing opportunities.
