Mercedes has indicated it is keen to continue a working relationship with Valtteri Bottas if he doesn't secure a race seat next year.
Bottas returned to the Mercedes F1 organisation this season, having raced for it alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.
The Finnish driver is working in a test and development role after parting ways with the Stake squad last season.
Bottas is hoping to return to a full-time driver role next year and is believed to be a favourite for one of the Cadillac drives.
Mercedes is aware of Bottas' position in the driver market, but suggested it is open to extending their partnership should the 35-year-old not be signed a a 2026 race seat.
“We know Valtteri’s priority is to try and find a race seat for 2026,” Mercedes' chief communications officer Bradley Lord told select media including RacingNews365.
“He’s eminently qualified to do that, and I’d say a front-running candidate in that regard as well.
“If that doesn’t happen for whatever reason, then we would be very open to looking at how we can continue together.
“But we know his priority is to do that, and we hope that in hindsight, we will have been able to be a platform for him to achieve that goal as well.”
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Mercedes' form across the last handful of seasons differs greatly from its position when Bottas raced for the team.
The squad is gearing towards a new era next year under fresh technical regulations, as it hopes to return to title-contending form.
Included in the driver line-up is set to be Mercedes' teenage protege, Kimi Antonelli, who has endured a challenging rookie season with the squad.
Lord highlighted Bottas has played a major role in Antonelli's development this year, as will has bringing a new perspective to the engineering meetings.
“It’s been fantastic to have him back in the family at Mercedes,” Lord stated. “Obviously, he was a cherished member of the team when he drove for us.
“And bringing him back, he’s been able to bring his experience and insights, his expert eye on the race weekend.
“Not just for Kimi and around that, but also for the engineers, offering a drivers’ perspective and things like that on a number of different things.
“We’ve had him work in the simulator as well, so some of the work he has done there has been very valuable.
“And then also TPC testing and keeping him fresh and sharp, driving an F1 car, but also performing that role too.
“Although it’s not the performance priority, he’s brought his lightness and sense of humour into the team and into how we can communicate, but also working with our partners and sponsors as well.
“He’s been a good part of sharing that workload, knowing that that is a big adjustment for a rookie driver.
“So having Valtteri there has been an important part of helping Kimi integrate into the world of F1 and adjust to it, and cope with its demands, too.”
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