Bottas says no "burned bridges" with Mercedes over Hamilton replacement

Hamilton's shock decision to leave Mercedes has energised the driver market ahead of 2025, just when it appeared to be stalling as Ferrari and McLaren moved to tie Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris to long-term deals.

Sauber driver Bottas drove for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021 as Hamilton's team-mate, but the team decided to replace the Finn with George Russell from the 2022 season.

Hamilton's impending move means Mercedes is suddenly in need of a replacement to race alongside Russell next season, with its options limited by the timing of Hamilton's decision and those new contracts being issued for desirable drivers at other teams.

Bottas is entering what he calls a "contract year" with Sauber, ahead of its Audi takeover for 2026.

The Finn stopped short of expressing a stated desire to return to Mercedes given his opportunity to secure a long-term future as part of what he called the Sauber/Audi "project", but said there are "as far as I know, no burned bridges" about a potential return.

"It's no lie, I was in Brackley the day before actually," Bottas said, referencing an Instagram story he posted last week before Hamilton's Ferrari move was announced, which went viral among F1 fans given the location concerned near the Mercedes base.

"Not at the Mercedes factory, but I was there doing some other stuff. No, we haven't spoken on the phone yet with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss].