Bottas makes F1 'game changer' claim ahead of intense four-way fight

Valtteri Bottas believes the 2025 F1 season could be decided by the finest of margins, with multiple teams expected to be in contention for championship glory.

The 10-time grand prix winner has returned to Mercedes after losing his Stake seat, where he will play as supporting role as the team's third driver.

Led by George Russell and highly-touted rookie Kimi Antonelli, the Brackley squad is expected to be one of four teams duking it out at front across the campaign ahead.

Despite McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull being anticipated to have a little more to draw upon than Mercedes at this stage, Bottas cautioned how easily a single step forward by any of those squads could be decisive in the hunt for title honours.

"It's going to be good to watch," the 35-year-old told Sky Sports F1. "I can already say and tell that.

"Because the gaps are quite small at the top, even between four or five teams is going to be really hard to predict, which is good.

The Finnish driver drew upon Red Bull's experience last year to inform his view of what could unfold in months to come.

The Milton Keynes-based team looked comfortable at the head of the F1 field in the opening rounds of the season, but subsequent upgrade packages from Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren closed the gap completely, leading to each winning at least four grands prix over the course of the year.

By the end of the campaign, the lattermost pair had overthrown Red Bull in the constructors' standings, despite Max Verstappen holding on to claim the drivers' title. Bottas hopes Mercedes will be in with a chance as well in 2025.

"I think it's good for the spectators, it's good for the sport, and the first few races will give a direction, but like we saw last year, with the small margins, if somebody makes a step, that's a game changer," he explained.

"Of course, I hope that Mercedes can be in the fight for the championship, which is everyone's target over here."