Valtteri Bottas has now ‘already agreed’ his next move after being released by Sauber

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It was announced earlier this week that Valtteri Bottas is set to be relieved of his duties as a Sauber driver at the end of the 2024 season.

The Finn has been with the Swiss outfit ever since he left Mercedes at the end of 2021, joining up with them when they were known as Alfa Romeo.

He hasn’t enjoyed much success, failing to reach the podium and if anything – the team has taken a significant step backwards since the joined.

It may be why they have chosen to go in a new direction with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto leading them in 2025, but the 35-year-old still believes he has more to give.

Valtteri Bottas has ‘already agreed’ F1 deal with Mercedes

The main problem that faces Bottas is the fact that there are now no seats left for 2025 that he can achieve – with the remaining drive left at Visa Cash App RB reserved for young talent.

It means that for the first time in 1988, there will be no Finn on the grid in Formula 1 – an incomprehensible stat.

There are moves to other series which could favour him, such as remaining in single-seater full time with a move to IndyCar, or a switch to do endurance racing in WEC.

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But it appears neither of those things interest him, according to Motorsport.com, who claim that Bottas has ‘already agreed’ a deal to become Mercedes’ third driver for 2025.

After three years away, it appears that he could be headed back to the place he called home for five consecutive seasons – winning constructors’ titles in every year that he was there.

What will Mercedes look like in 2025?

Things are going to look very different for Mercedes in 2025 – four years on from their last significant Formula 1 triumph.

Both of their drivers from that season will no longer serve in a full-time race seat for them as Lewis Hamilton makes a move to Ferrari.

It’s has been one of the biggest storylines of 2024, and it hasn’t even started yet, but Bottas will be without his former teammate and friend next year, whom he achieved so much alongside.

READ MORE: James Allison privately said something desperate about Mercedes after seeing George Russell lap

Instead he will be working with George Russell – whom he was alongside for one race at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix (Hamilton was out with Covid) and young Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Much of the surroundings will be familiar, and his feedback could be important in helping the Silver Arrows return to the front of the pack soon.