Russell claims Bottas time at Sauber could be ‘key’ in 2025

Mercedes’ George Russell has praised Valtteri Bottas’ return to the team as the Finnish driver will carry ‘key’ knowledge to help drive the team forward.

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Russell is the more experienced driver entering the 2025 Formula 1 season, and he will be partnered with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Despite this, he is keen for Mercedes to learn about what the other teams are doing and the Ferrari engine from the team’s third—and returning—driver, Bottas.

In 2022, Bottas joined Sauber, which was under the Alfa Romeo brand at the time before becoming Stake F1 Kick Sauber in 2024. This move allowed Russell to join the team and drive for Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton, who moved onto rivals Ferrari for the upcoming campaign.

Following the fluctuating 2024 driver market, Bottas rejoined the team in 2025 as a reserve/third driver for Mercedes having not secured a drive for the season. Russell believes will be ‘key’ for the team as they move forward without Hamilton.

This comes not just from Bottas’ racing experience, which guided the Finnish driver to 10 wins, 67 podiums and five consecutive Constructors‘ titles with Mercedes, but also understanding what the Silver Arrows competitors are doing.

Reported by Mercedes’ official F1 website, on the topic of Bottas, Russell said:

BREAKING: Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes

He will take the role of reserve driver at the Silver Arrows #F1 pic.twitter.com/q82DZI8ZIm

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 19, 2024

“His experience is going to be massive. Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team is going to be great.

“Hearing about his last few years at Sauber, with the Ferrari engine could be key too. You always have to keep an open mind as to what others are doing and he has all of that under his belt.”

The 27-year-old also commented on their history in the sport as they memorably banged together in a wet Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, in the early stages of the 2021 F1 world championship.

The two came together as Russell, driving for Williams Racing at the time, overtook the then-Mercedes driver and got a wheel on the damp grass which snapped his car around and into Bottas.

Both drivers were okay but it was shown that Russell had walked up to Bottas – who was still in his car – and tapped the Finn on the head after the crash whilst the latter displayed a hand gesture to his fellow competitor.

“Obviously years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship,” Russell said, “but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown, we often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.”

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.