A Look at Mercedes’s 35-Year-Old Reserve Driver
Petronas Mercedes-AMG has had a decent season in 2025, considering the state of the game. Unable to catch up to McLaren’s overwhelming racecraft superiority, 2025 is a true battle for second place. Sitting third in the Constructor’s Standings, just 24 points behind Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes is making a good show of their driver’s strengths. First-seat driver George Russell has earned his spot this year, consistently reaching the podium and claiming victory at Grand Prix Montreal. The 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli is also showing his potential with a strong rookie year, becoming the third youngest driver to reach a podium in Formula 1 history. With strong performances from their mainline drivers, Mercedes’ reserve driver doesn’t often get the spotlight, but Valtteri Bottas is a name every F1 enthusiast should know as 2026 draws near.
Having spent several years with team Kick Sauber in the back of the grid, the 35-year-old Finnish driver made his return to Mercedes in 2025, but has yet to see the starting lights. It’s no surprise that he’s been stuck in reserve, as he was not able to achieve a single point finish in the 2024 season. That doesn’t mean he’s far from the track, however, as he regularly hones his skills on the simulator and tests different tires on the Mercedes F1 W16. His record is nothing to scoff at either, boasting an impressive ten Grand Prix victories over his 12 years in F1 thus far.
With his signature stark blonde mullet and “What’s Next?” tattoo on his thigh, Bottas has no trouble making lasting impressions. While he enjoys his time off the track surfing, cycling, or testing coffee around the paddock for Mercedes’ social media, he’s awaiting a chance to get back in the race. In 2026, Cadillac is set to make its F1 debut, currently in the process of selecting its drivers under careful consideration from team principal Graeme Lowdon. Though no deals have been signed as of yet, the team has all but confirmed the return of former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, leaving fans wondering who will join in the second seat. It’s the perfect opportunity for Bottas, still eager to continue his F1 career, and with the experience to aid a rookie team along. Though Cadillac has not officially revealed which drivers they are looking at, many speculate that Bottas is in their headlights.
