P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valtteri Bottas will part ways with Mercedes later this year ahead of his full-time F1 comeback with Cadillac in 2026.
Valtteri Bottas has faced challenges in his role with Mercedes this year, being sidelined and watching from the sidelines after being dropped from the Sauber F1 squad at the end of the 2024 season.
Bottas returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2026 season, ready to step in if needed, after racing for the team from 2017 to 2021.
He has secured a drive with Cadillac for the 2026 season, alongside Sergio Perez, and is looking forward to returning to active racing.
Reflecting on his season as a third driver, Bottas admits that not being able to race has been difficult, as he misses the thrill and routine of being on the grid.
Despite doing his job as a reserve driver, Bottas eagerly awaits the opportunity to get back behind the wheel and compete in January.
After 12 consecutive years of racing, he acknowledges that the transition to a backup role has been challenging, but he remains optimistic about the future.
