Valtteri Bottas breaks silence over potential Mercedes return after Hamilton exit

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Since Lewis Hamilton rocked the racing world with news of his transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari everyone’s futures have been questioned.

It’s almost a week now since Lewis Hamilton flipped the Formula One grid onto its head with the announcement he’d be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season onwards.

This has left multiple glaring questions needing to be answered. Among these is the queries over Carlos Sainz‘s future with the Spanish racer now out of Scuderia after the coming season ends.

Another question is over Mercedes‘ open seat which needs to be filled and will undoubtedly have a whole host of suitors who crave the position.

Among those who have been tipped as an option is former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who has now broken his silence over the opening.

Valtteri Bottas discusses potential return to Mercedes

Speaking with MotorSport, Bottas admitted the door with Mercedes isn’t closed – at least as far as he knows.

He explained, “As far as I know, no burned bridges” in relation to a potential return.

He then continued to evaluate his current options in a year which will see him sign a new contract somewhere, and also denied that he’s spoken with Toto Wolff.

“No, we haven’t spoken on the phone yet with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss], And if I would go back, yeah… Well, obviously, my priority and biggest commitment is the Audi project, which is my target.

“But if that wouldn’t happen, there’s no team that I wouldn’t go [to] perhaps. I know my priorities and I’ve got my list.”

Bottas could fancy one more shot at gold with Mercedes

Bottas returning to Mercedes for a final spell could in a way be perfect as he could allow the team the chance to ensure their next long-term driver is the correct pick.

That being said, Bottas and George Russell haven’t always gotten along too well, such as in 2021 when Bottas and Russell collided at the Emilia Romagna GP.

This prompted Bottas to question Russell’s driving skill and if he was trying to crash on purpose with an incendiary claim.

Bottas and Russell however have put this behind them and could form a deadly team – although there are more likely options than the Finnish driver.