Valtteri Bottas shares heartfelt message to Mercedes as he leaves team for Cadillac
Valtteri Bottas has bid an emotional farewell to Mercedes after serving as the team's 2025 reserve driver
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-AMG
Photo by: Erik Junius
Valtteri Bottas shared a heartfelt message with Mercedes after parting ways with the Brackley outfit.
The Finnish driver had returned to Mercedes for 2025 as a reserve driver after losing his seat at Sauber at the end of 2024. Having previously driven for the squad between 2017 and 2021, Bottas claimed his return felt like reuniting with his family.
After a year out of a full-time seat, Bottas is set to return to the grid in 2026 with Cadillac, alongside former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, when the American outfit joins the paddock as the 11th team.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked Bottas's final race weekend with Mercedes. "Thank you, Mercedes," he posted on social media after the weekend came to a close.
"It was great to be back with the family this season during my ‘gap year’. This team always has a special place in my heart, and I really appreciate the opportunity to be the 3rd driver for the team. I now respect the team, the sport, and every personnel involved even more than before. Wishing you all the best for the future & see you around soon!"
Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff gave his full support to Bottas for a return to a full-time seat next year. "It is great to see Valtteri regain his place on the F1 grid for next year,” Wolff said at the time of Bottas signing with Cadillac.
"He still has so much to offer as a racing driver and deserves to be lining up in Melbourne for the 2026 season. We will of course be sad to see him go. He has played an important role in our team and his contribution as our third driver this year has been exemplary."
Cadillac wasted no time in welcoming the 36-year-old driver to the team ahead of its F1 entry. "The time is now," the General Motors-owned team posted.
Photos from Abu Dhabi GP - Race
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Sunday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
David Coulthard impressed by Colin Farrell’s “truly enthusiastic” F1 knowledge at Miami GP
Guenther Steiner hits out at Miami GP stewards as he calls for time limit on post-race penalties
Doriane Pin says F1 dream is now a goal after Mercedes test
Valtteri Bottas' unusual Miami F1 penalty explained
Valtteri Bottas: Cadillac felt “like a different car” in F1 Miami GP qualifying
Bottas' mental health column is brutal, but also shows how F1 is changing
Kimi Antonelli sent warning as George Russell tipped for Canadian GP comeback
"We love V8s" - What F1 manufacturers think about future engine regulations
'Antonelli and Sinner, Sinner and Antonelli' - Italy should handle its latest sporting hero with care
David Malukas “getting close” after strong runner-up result at Indy GP
Complete IndyCar championship standings after 2026 Indy GP
Alexander Rossi furious after IndyCar leaves him stranded on 170mph straight
Official race results: IndyCar 2026 Indy GP
How the 2027 F1 rule changes will work
Aston Martin's plans for F1 2026 after upgrade-free Miami
'Antonelli and Sinner, Sinner and Antonelli' - Italy should handle its latest sporting hero with care
The intrigue sparked by Red Bull's Miami sidepod design
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments