Toto Wolff issues update on 'fish poisoning' F1 contingency plan

Toto Wolff has voiced his support for Valtteri Bottas to return to an F1 race seat, sharing his hope that a "door is going to open" for him.

The Finnish driver, whom the Mercedes team principal labelled his "fish poisoning" back-up, is spending the current season in a reserve and third driver role for the eight-time constructors' champions.

Wolff highlighted how the 35-year-old is blessed with talent enough to step into the W16 on short notice and be "absolutely on pace" if something, like food poisoning, were to befall regular drivers George Russell or Kimi Antonelli.

"Valtteri has been part of the Mercedes family for a long, long time," the Austrian said on the Mercedes mid-season review.

"He is a driver that, if some of our guys would have fish poisoning, you put him in the car, he's going to be absolutely on pace, and that's great to know that your reserve and third driver is as quick as it gets."

Bottas raced for Stake last season, but Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were preferred to the 10-time grand prix winner and then-team-mate Zhou Guanyu, leaving both without a seat for 2025.

Having started his F1 career with Williams in 2013, Bottas replaced Nico Rosberg at Mercedes when the German retired at the end of 2016.

He spent five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton before moving to Alfa Romeo-Sauber for 2022, and although consigned to a year on the sidelines, he is garnering significant interest.

In recent months, Bottas has been heavily linked to both Alpine and the fledgling Cadillac outfit, which embarks on his debut F1 season next term.

He is broadly expected to secure a seat in either team, and Wolff believes it is now a case of wait and see over his next move.

"But obviously, with Valtteri, he deserves a race seat, and hopefully that door is going to open," the 53-year-old said. "And just watch this space."