Bottas F1 return chance grows with Mercedes loan option

Valtteri Bottas' chances of being called upon to race during the 2025 F1 season have been boosted.

Bottas was dropped by the Stake F1 team at the end of last year's campaign as the team opted to sign Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Audi's takeover in 2026.

The Finn found refuge at Mercedes as a reserve driver, re-joining the squad after competing for it alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.

The veteran will offer extra assistance to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as he takes a backseat role and will be on hand to step in should one of the full-time drivers be unable to race.

However, it seems Mercedes will not be the only team that can call on Bottas' services should they be needed.

In the past, McLaren and Williams both had the option to utilise the Mercedes reserve driver pool, extending the collaboration of the power unit partnership.

This was the case last year when Mick Schumacher was the reserve driver for the Brackley-based squad - the German was ultimately not needed by either team as Williams opted to sign its own junior Franco Colapinto mid-season to replace Logan Sargeant.

RacingNews365 understands that McLaren and Williams can again turn to Mercedes this year should they need a sudden replacement, but no official agreement is in place as yet.

However, the expectation is the option will exist again this year, with Bottas likely being viewed as a valuable alternative due to his vast experience.