Valtteri Bottas
GPBlog

Mercedes has announced that Mick Schumacher, their reserve driver and son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, will leave the team at the end of the current Formula One season. This decision allows Schumacher to explore new opportunities as he transitions to race for Renault-owned Alpine in the World Endurance Championship next year.

Meanwhile, former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is reportedly set to return to the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver. Bottas, who has decided against pursuing a full-time switch to IndyCar for the 2025 season, is preparing to move on after his contract with Sauber concludes at the end of the season. With Sauber poised to transform into the Audi team in 2026, the team will also undergo a driver change. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto is set to replace Bottas, marking the start of a new chapter for both the team and Bottas as he explores opportunities outside full-time Formula One competition.

   

Mick Schumacher Leaves Mercedes, Opens Gates For Valtteri Bottas 

Valtteri Bottas, the 35-year-old Finnish driver, has confirmed that he is discussing a potential reserve driver role for the 2025 Formula One season with Mercedes. While Bottas expressed optimism about returning to Mercedes, where he achieved all ten of his F1 victories during his five-year stint with the team alongside Lewis Hamilton, he acknowledged that some details still need to be finalized.

Bottas remains committed to Formula One and is not ruling out a full-time return to the grid. With the sport set to expand to 11 teams in 2026, introducing General Motors’ Cadillac-branded team, Bottas sees potential opportunities arising from the additional seats. While he had preliminary discussions with Cadillac, he noted that competition for those spots would be fierce.

For 2025, Bottas has decided against racing full-time in any series. Despite approaches from IndyCar teams, he feels that transitioning immediately after 12 years in F1 would be a rapid and demanding adjustment. Instead, Bottas is open to one-off racing opportunities, including iconic events like the Indy 500, which has long been on his radar. Looking ahead, Bottas will participate in the Race of Champions in March 2025, joining other high-profile drivers like Mick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. While he continues exploring his next career steps, his primary focus remains to solidify his role for 2025, keeping an open mind about opportunities in and beyond Formula One.

Schumacher Prioritizes Racing Over Reserve Role

image f037c246 459c 4b6a 90b3 d6245e16f32e 85 2560 1440
Eurosport

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Mick Schumacher for his exceptional abilities, describing him as a highly skilled racer who deserves to compete at the highest levels of motorsport. Schumacher, the former Formula 2 champion, has spent the past two years as Mercedes’ reserve driver but has expressed a strong desire to return to full-time racing.

Reflecting on his current role, Schumacher admitted it has been challenging to watch others compete while he remains on the sidelines. He emphasized his passion for racing, highlighting that it is the core of what motivates him as a driver. Schumacher is eager to shift his focus entirely back to competing on the track, where he believes his skills and dedication can truly shine. For him, racing is not just a profession but the ultimate thrill and fulfillment in motorsport.