Exclusive: Bottas opens up on 'painful' side of Mercedes reserve role

Valtteri Bottas has conceded that becoming a reserve driver at Mercedes "could be painful", with the Finnish driver wanting to still be on the Formula 1 grid. 

Bottas returns to the Silver Arrows next season after not being retained by Stake Sauber, who have opted for a brand-new driver pairing. 

The Hinwil-based outfit has signed Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, leaving Bottas off the grid having failed to find another seat. 

Returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver was his best option to remain in the F1 paddock, with the next goal being to secure a spot on the 2026 grid for when the new power unit regulations are introduced. 

Despite the disappointment of not racing in the pinnacle of motorsport next season, the 35-year-old is focusing on the positives about returning to Mercedes three years after leaving.

"Sometimes you need to take a step back to make two steps forward," Bottas exclusively told RacingNews365.

"Now it's about for me, trying to get the picture of my two to three-year range ahead, what is the best way to get there and what is the best way to get a seat on the F1 grid again. 

"But on the other hand, yes, it is a reserve role. There will be lots of standing around, but at the same time, it's a great brand, a big car manufacturer. 

"I've been there five years in the past, and it could really bring some opportunities for me."

'Very interesting' Cadillac option

Whilst Bottas is doing his best to remain positive and look to the future, he accepts that watching the action from the Mercedes garage will be difficult. 

However, he recognises how important his experience is going to be to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who he expects to help in 2025.

"I think it could be difficult, could be painful, because I just want to race, but I think I can still contribute a lot to the team with my experience," added Bottas.

"They will also have a rookie driver joining, who will need some help. I just need to keep busy, I guess, and keep giving all the knowledge I have. And, yeah, that's the way to go."

Bottas is already planning ahead for 2026 and finding a seat on the grid, something which has become ever so slightly easier. 

Courtesy of the new Cadillac F1 Team, two more seats are available for when the new regulations are introduced, something Bottas views as an opportunity. 

"Well, there's going to be two more seats," noted Bottas. "They need drivers, they need experience. So, of course, that's very, very interesting."

The new American outfit will be lead by Graeme Lowdon, who is also the part of Bottas' former team-mate Zhou Guanyu's management team.

Zhou is also looking for a seat in 2026, although Bottas does not believe the Chinese driver's links to Lowdon will work against him.

"We have good relations with Graeme," insisted Bottas. "I don't think it makes it more difficult for me, if anything, he's seen what I can do and bring to the team. So I see that as a possibility."