P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valtteri Bottas has revealed he would be open to returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season if he is dropped by Audi.
The current Sauber driver left the Silver Arrows team in 2022, when George Russell replaced him and has been Hamilton’s teammate since then. Bottas achieved 10 victories during his five seasons with Mercedes, with his first win being the 2017 Russian Grand Prix. Sauber, which will be taken over by Audi for the 2026 F1 season, has not announced its second driver alongside Nico Hulkenberg. Bottas confirmed he has agreed to terms with the team at the United States Grand Prix but is awaiting final confirmation. Bottas is exploring other options, possibly even rejoining the Mercedes family while keeping his priority of being a race driver. Binotto, the current Sauber team principal, is in regular contact with Bottas as they work towards finalizing the deal for the next season.
