Valtteri Bottas looks set to stay in Formula 1 in a reserve driver role at Mercedes with a deal seemingly on the cusp of completion.
The Finn spent five years at Mercedes between 2017-21 before moving to Alfa Romeo, although he will depart the team that was since rebranded as Sauber at the end of the season.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have been signed for 2025, with Audi’s takeover completed in time to enter F1 from the following year.
Bottas had hoped to hang onto his seat but was the last driver on the current grid to learn his fate – although there now appears a level of certainty he will return to the Silver Arrows, where teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli will partner George Russell from next year in the full-time race seats.
“Nothing is signed, nothing is done but if we were to have him back in the family, we all would be all full of joy,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Viaplay ahead of qualifying at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“What you can say is that if you have the opportunity in having a pilot like Valtteri back in the Mercedes family, with his ability, with his most recent experience of these modern cars, you can deem yourself super lucky.”
Asked how much he would look forward to welcoming Bottas back, Wolff added: “Very much. You know negotiations at the end, lawyers always want to make contracts fail! I'm joking they are great lawyers, and it's a matter of time.”
Bottas, 35, won 10 races as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate at Mercedes, twice finishing second in the drivers’ championship.
He has not finished higher than 13th this year in a difficult season for Sauber but earlier in the weekend said that he feels he still has plenty to offer.
“The way my active F1 driving career ended for now, it wasn't the best way that you can't really decide yourself,” he said.
“I feel like still I have lots to give for the sport and I still love it. I love the racing against the best drivers in the world, in the best cars in the world. That's what I love. So I'm just trying to figure out now what is the next move.
“I'm taking it day by day. There's some interesting stuff on the table and then we'll see. You know, life goes on. There's lots of exciting things ahead. It's a tricky sport.
“I think I got into an unlucky situation, in terms of hanging on to the last seat on the grid. And when that doesn't happen, then obviously you're out for now.”
