‘I’ve got to look at all the alternatives’ – Bottas responds to Mercedes reserve driver rumours as he gives update on Sauber future

Valtteri Bottas has admitted that he would consider returning to the Mercedes family as a reserve driver if he is unable to stay on the grid, though the Finn stressed that his priority is to remain as a race driver as he continues to have discussions at Sauber.

With only one seat confirmed at the Hinwil-based outfit in 2025 – that belonging to Nico Hulkenberg, whose move was announced back in April – the identity of the squad’s second driver has yet to be confirmed.

READ MORE: Experienced hands or a rapid rookie – who’s in the frame for the vacant Sauber seat?

Bottas has long been the favourite to retain his position at the team for what would be a fourth year, leading to talk that a deal could be announced prior to racing in Austin, but this did not prove to be the case.

Asked ahead of the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix weekend if he had had a chance to speak with boss Mattia Binotto during the week, the 35-year-old answered: “We are in an almost daily basis, keeping in touch with Mattia – sometimes about technical stuff, sometimes about the future.

“We’ve pretty well agreed everything in terms of the terms and stuff like that. Now it’s just, the ball is in their camp so I’ll keep waiting and doing my job.”

Despite this, speculation has also emerged linking Bottas to a possible reserve driver position at Mercedes – the team that he raced for across five seasons and achieved all 10 of his F1 victories with.

READ MORE: Colapinto insists his goal is to stay in F1 as he responds to 2025 Sauber links

When quizzed on whether there was any truth to this – and if it is an option he would consider – Bottas responded: “Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver, that’s what I want, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia.

“But, of course, as I don’t have anything signed – we’re in October – I’ve got to look at all the alternatives including going back to the Mercedes family. That’s for sure one option and I would consider it.

“But there’s other options as well, as well as going back to my priority, which is to be a race driver even more.”

For now Bottas’s focus is on what he can achieve at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez over the next few days, with the Finnish driver optimistic about the event as he continues to target scoring his, and the team’s, first points of the season.

READ MORE: Bottas identifies area where Kick Sauber ‘made a step’ in Austin but admits team ‘need more’

“I’m positive about this weekend because normally on this track the gaps are a bit smaller than before, so I really hope we can be in the mix and in a better place than before,” he added.

“I really want some points so that needs to be the target for the weekend.”