Valtteri Bottas will return to Mercedes in 2025, not as a full-time driver but as a test and reserve driver. After three seasons with Sauber (now known as Stake F1 Team), Bottas’ time in Formula One as a full-time driver came to an end when his contract was not renewed for the coming season. The Finnish driver will now return to familiar territory at Mercedes, where he previously raced alongside Lewis Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.

During his time away from Mercedes, Bottas underwent a significant transformation both on and off the track. He embraced a more relaxed and free-spirited public persona, with a striking new mullet hairstyle, a light-hearted approach to media appearances and even the launch of his own nude calendar – a venture that surprised many in the motorsport world.

However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hinted that Bottas’ new-found expression may not be entirely in keeping with the brand’s image, suggesting that certain aspects of his behaviour need to be reined in.

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Wolff addresses Bottas’ unconventional personality

Speaking to *PlanetF1*, Wolff welcomed Bottas’ return, but made it clear that the Finn’s freedom of expression will be somewhat restricted under the Mercedes umbrella.

“We are Mercedes, so the naked calendar is no longer acceptable,” Wolff remarked with a smile.

“We made that clear very quickly. Of course we want him to remain authentic, but if he wants to keep that ugly mullet on his neck, he should definitely do that,” he added jokingly.

Bottas’ vibrant and unconventional personality has made him a fan favourite in recent years, particularly through his humorous social media presence and offbeat activities such as gravel biking and beer brewing. However, Mercedes have long maintained a polished and professional corporate image and it seems that Wolff is keen to ensure that Bottas’ personal brand does not overshadow the team’s standards.

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A new role: Mentor to Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Alongside his duties as test and reserve driver, Bottas will also take on an additional role within the team. With Mercedes promoting young Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli to a full-time seat in 2025, Bottas will act as a mentor and guide to the 17-year-old rookie.

Antonelli, who only takes his driving licence in January 2024, is making a significant leap to the pinnacle of motorsport and the team sees Bottas as the ideal figure to help ease the transition.

“A big part of Valtteri Bottas’ role is to help Kimi,” explained Wolff.

“He will act as a coach; Kimi has to learn from Valtteri and from George (Russell).”

Mercedes have high hopes for Antonelli, but given his limited experience, some pundits speculate that Bottas could even be called upon to take a race seat if the young Italian struggles to perform at the required level. Should Antonelli run into significant difficulties, Bottas’ presence in the team could provide Mercedes with a strong contingency plan.

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F1’s Official Calendar 2025: Australia to open season again

Alongside the Bottas news, Formula One and the FIA have officially released the 2025 calendar. The season will once again feature 24 Grands Prix, maintaining the extensive schedule introduced in 2023.

One of the most significant changes for 2025 is the return of the Australian Grand Prix as the season opener. Melbourne will host the inaugural race on 16 March, marking a return to a traditional season-opening venue. Since 2020, Bahrain has served as the first race of the year, but for 2025, adjustments have been made to accommodate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia moving later in the calendar.

Aside from this change, the 2025 calendar remains largely unchanged, with F1 set to visit the same locations as last season. Some events have been rearranged, but no new races have been added to the schedule.

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Highlights of the 2025 F1 calendar

– Season opener: Australian Grand Prix – 16 March
– Season finale: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – 7 December
– Triple-Headers: The season features three triple-headers, where races take place on three consecutive weekends.
– Las Vegas Grand Prix: The third edition of the Las Vegas race will remain the only event to be held on a Saturday.

With a packed calendar and new driver line-ups emerging across the grid, the 2025 season promises to be another year of intense competition and high-stakes racing.

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What’s next for Bottas and Mercedes?

Valtteri Bottas’ return to Mercedes provides a fascinating storyline for 2025. While he may not be behind the wheel as a full-time competitor, his presence within the team – both as a reserve driver and as a mentor – could prove crucial to Mercedes’ season.

However, one of the biggest questions remains: How will Bottas reconcile his personal identity with the more corporate and polished environment of Mercedes? While Wolff has made it clear that certain aspects of Bottas’ recent persona need to be toned down, the Finn is known for his light-hearted and independent nature. It will be interesting to see how much of that character he is willing to adapt for his new role.

For fans, Bottas’ return is a welcome one, as his sense of humour and laid-back personality have become a popular part of the F1 paddock. Whether he will find himself in a race seat again remains to be seen, but for now Bottas is back where he once thrived – at the heart of a team that dominated F1 for nearly a decade.

As Mercedes looks ahead to 2025, the focus will undoubtedly be on developing Antonelli into a competitive driver while ensuring the team remains at the front of the grid. And with Bottas playing a crucial role in that process, his second stint with the Silver Arrows could prove just as significant as his first – just without the naked calendars.

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MORE F1 NEWS – Newey’s ridiculous claim about FIA cost cap

Adrian Newey may well be considered to be the all time great in terms of Formula One car design, yet the F1 genius now proves his breadth of skills are limited as he criticises the FIA cost cap which has brought the field closer than its ever been in F1 history.

On a number of occasions last season in qualifying one all twenty cars were within a second of each other. As a random sample this writer selected the Australian Grand Prix from 2010 to compare the Q1 results to the modern era and it revealed that Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole position whilst the 20th placed driver in the session was a whopping was a tenth for being SIX whole seconds slower than the German in the Red Bull car.

Given this was the year when there were three new – but badly underfunded F1 teams – let’s select the same event but ten years ago in 2016. Lewis Hamilton was the pole sitter, and the gap to P20 remained over four seconds.