Valtteri Bottas will step down as Mercedes reserve driver at the end of this season and move to the Cadillac Formula One team in 2026.
Bottas previously drove for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, returning to Brackley in 2024 after losing his seat at Sauber. The Finnish driver became a fan favorite for his fun and sarcastic humour, which continued until the final F1 explanation Video he made for Mercedes.
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“Hi everyone, this is the explanation for leaving the F1 team,” he told the camera, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes, “Valtteri Bottas.”
“In F1, obviously leaving an F1 team eventually happens. It’s quite sad. I’ve done it a few times in my career. It’s not easy. But, if you think positively, ultimately, next year there will be 11 teams in the paddock. So we are all one big family and we will meet again.”
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The video showed a montage of drivers hugging members of the convoy, accompanied by operatic music.
“There’s also a tradition that when you leave a Formula One team, after the race in Abu Dhabi, you end up going for a swim in the marina, whether you like it or not,” he added.
“It’s never easy to leave a team. I just want to say thank you, Mercedes.”
As the video fades to black, the camera cuts to a close-up of Finn as the cameraman explains that they need him to return his watch and team gear. The video cuts again to a slow-motion montage showing some highlights of Bottas as the reserve driver, set to equally emotional music.
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Bottas will join the newly formed Cadillac F1 Team in 2026, joining former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez as the American outfit becomes its 11th team.
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