P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Could Valtteri Bottas make a return to the Mercedes family if Stake does not decide to keep him on for 2025?
Valtteri Bottas has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the Mercedes F1 team if he is dropped by Stake. The Stake seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg is currently the only available spot on the 2025 grid outside of the Red Bull ecosystem. An announcement was expected during the autumn break, but Stake boss Mattia Binotto is evaluating other candidates such as Mick Schumacher, Franco Colapinto, and Gabriel Bortoleto. Although Mercedes has confirmed George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as their race drivers for next year, Bottas remains hopeful for a potential spot within the “Mercedes family” if not retained. Bottas expressed his priority of remaining a race driver in Formula 1 while considering all available alternatives, including a possible return to Mercedes.
