Valtteri Bottas will return to Mercedes next season as a reserve driver in the wake of Mick Schumacher's decision to leave, the constructor announced Thursday. "Returning home to the Mercedes family as third driver for 2025 is what's next and I couldn't be more pleased," said the 35-year-old Finn who was not retained by Sauber ahead of their takeover by Audi. "I want to thank Toto (Wolff), the team at Brackley, and everyone at the three-pointed star for welcoming me back with open arms." Bottas won 10 Grands Prix during his five years at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.