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Valtteri Bottas Expands Mercedes F1 Reserve Role with McLaren Test
Valtteri Bottas, who recently returned to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team as a reserve driver for the 2025 season, has broadened his role by participating in a private test session with McLaren. The Finnish driver, who previously raced for Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, was brought back into the team’s setup after parting ways with Sauber at the end of last year. His new responsibilities as a test and reserve driver involve working closely with the team’s engineers, mentoring young talent Kimi Antonelli, and maintaining race readiness in case he is called upon to step in during a race weekend.
Bottas’ position within the Mercedes organization means he could be required to fill in for either George Russell or rookie driver Kimi Antonelli if unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or injury, prevent them from racing. Beyond his direct involvement with the Mercedes works team, Bottas is also available as a reserve driver for customer teams using Mercedes power units. These include McLaren, Williams, and Aston Martin. While Aston Martin has a dedicated reserve driver structure in place, both McLaren and Williams could potentially rely on Bottas should the need arise.
As part of his preparedness for any potential race seat opportunities, Bottas recently took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he drove McLaren’s 2023 MCL60 in a behind-closed-doors test session. This test served as an opportunity for him to familiarize himself with McLaren’s machinery and operations, ensuring he is fully prepared in case the team requires his services during the season. Given that Formula 1’s grueling 24-race calendar presents numerous challenges, having an experienced reserve driver like Bottas provides a valuable safety net for Mercedes and its customer teams.
Bottas’ participation in the McLaren test highlights the level of trust and collaboration between Mercedes and its affiliated teams. As a driver with significant experience in Formula 1, including ten career race victories and multiple seasons competing at the sharp end of the grid, Bottas brings a wealth of knowledge that could prove invaluable should he be called upon. His familiarity with Mercedes power units and his adaptability across different car setups make him a strong candidate to step into any of the available seats when necessary.
Following the test, Bottas expressed his enthusiasm about getting back behind the wheel of a Mercedes-powered car. Sharing a video of his laps around the Spanish circuit, he took to Instagram to post: “Nice to be back with Mercedes power today.” His positive attitude and continued dedication to the sport reinforce his commitment to remaining competitive and ready for any opportunity that comes his way.
Overall, Bottas’ return to Mercedes as a reserve driver not only benefits the team directly but also extends to its customer outfits. His recent McLaren test underscores his preparedness for any potential mid-season call-up, ensuring that whether it’s for Mercedes, McLaren, or Williams, he remains a viable option to step into a race seat when needed.
