Valtteri Bottas is not due to return to Formula 1 on a full-time basis until next season, but somehow he found himself 'on track' during the sole practice session for the Qatar Grand Prix.
After being released by Sauber at the end of last year, Bottas returned to Mercedes for this season, serving as its reserve driver, attending all 24 grands prix as back-up to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Bottas would be joining F1's newest team, Cadillac, alongside Sergio Perez in the cockpit of its cars.
But a ghost Bottas made an appearance in FP1 at the Lusail International Circuit. During the session, Yuki Tsunoda's race engineer declared over the radio, 'Okay, Bottas opening behind, Bottas opening behind'.
Quick as a flash, Tsunoda responded, "I didn't know Bottas was driving mate."
The Sky Sports F1 cameras also did not miss out on the moment as they quickly caught Bottas in the Mercedes garage eyeing the track action.
As to what Tsunoda's engineer saw on his screens to refer to Bottas is anybody's guess.
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