SUMMARY
- Valtteri Bottas fuels speculation on a possible Mercedes return post-Lewis Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari in 2025.
- Mercedes faces a significant driver vacancy after Hamilton's departure.
Right after the announcement of Lewis Hamilton making a shift to Ferrari in 2025 broke out, Valtteri Bottas sparked speculations about a possible comeback to Mercedes. The Finish driver left no time to seek the opportunity to return with the Silver Arrows banner. With the F1 community buzzing about who will be George Russell’s new teammate at Mercedes, Bottas has come up as a potential contender.
The eight-time constructors’ champions will soon face a major driver vacancy. This emergency situation has come up due to the latest reshuffle. However, this vacancy has opened up more opportunities for the drivers whose contracts are terminating in 2024. Nonetheless, Bottas played a pivotal role during the team’s successful period from 2017 to 2021, contributing to the team’s five titles.
Is Valtteri Bottas hinting at a Mercedes comeback?
Bottas retired from Silver Arrows at the end of 2021 as Russell took his place on the team. It seems like the Mercedes chapter has not ended for the Finnish driver. The reason that prompted these rumors was when he posted on Instagram, sharing a picture of himself playing darts in Brackley. This is the exact location where the Mercedes F1 team calls home.
Valtteri Bottas was in Brackley 👀 pic.twitter.com/9TtmjPWGJp
— Stefanie (@fastpitstop) February 1, 2024
In another post, Bottas appeared next to his phone, suggesting he might be awaiting a call from team principal Toto Wolff. Given the recent developments, it is very likely that the billionaire team boss is devastated by the news that was delivered to him the night prior. Regardless, Wolff needs a plan of action to fill the empty seat as soon as possible.
When Bottas and Mercedes went their separate ways, the parting was friendly, affirmed by Wolff’s open invitation. The Finn subsequently joined Alfa Romeo, a team with backing from Sauber.
Stake F1 driver backs Silver Arrows against Red Bull in 2024
Valtteri Bottas is optimistic about Mercedes challenging the reigning champions in the upcoming 2024 season. The eight-time race winner has been a staunch supporter regardless of his move. With a fresh new season coming up, the Brackley-based team aims to reverse this downward trend with a revamped W15 design after finishing the last season without a win.
The Mercedes W15 “feels like a car for the first time in two years,” according to team boss Toto Wolff.
Mercedes will change “almost every component” on their 2024 car. Are they the best bet to challenge Red Bull this year? 🤔#F1 #Mercedes pic.twitter.com/Qqjus3KUbI
— 🏎 Formula 1 Daily (@Formula1_Daily) January 27, 2024
According to the Stake F1 driver, “I think Mercedes can return to the top, they still have great people and as a team, they are also very strong. They have a good leader, two good points, so I see no reason not to believe. The most complicated thing for everyone today is to defeat Red Bull…We all have in our hands the opportunity to make a really fast car. I see no reason to think that Mercedes won’t do it.”
While Bottas has confidence in Mercedes’ potential to bounce back, he acknowledges the daunting task of overtaking Red Bull.