Mercedes didn’t waste any time “dumping” Valtteri Bottas after the 2025 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi: the German team’s mechanics picked him up and literally tossed him into a trash bin.
Not even a moment after the season ended, Mercedes playfully sent Valtteri Bottas, their reserve driver behind George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, into the bin — literally. Of course, this was all in good humor, given the long-standing relationship between the 36-year-old Finnish driver and the German squad, and his contagious charisma. Valtteri Bottas and jokes often go hand in hand: he has built a reputation for his relaxed, fun approach to life and quirky antics off track. So he played along when, after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina, Mercedes mechanics hoisted him up and threw him in a trash container.
Bottas’ farewell to Mercedes: a bond cemented by success
It was their way of ‘retiring’ Valtteri Bottas, who will return as a full-time F1 driver next season, joining the new Cadillac team alongside Sergio Perez, another returning veteran of the grid. Beyond the jokes, Bottas shared a heartfelt message on social media about Mercedes, the team he raced for from 2017 to 2021 after starting his F1 career with Williams. During his time at Brackley, he won 10 Grands Prix, achieved 58 podiums in 101 races, finished second in the Drivers’ Championship twice behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, and contributed to five Constructors’ titles.
“Thank you Mercedes. It has been amazing to return with the family this season during my ‘sabbatical year’,” Bottas wrote, referring to the first season since entering Formula 1 in 2013 in which he didn’t have a race seat, after three years at Alfa Romeo/Sauber. “This team will always have a special place in my heart, and I truly appreciated the opportunity to be the team’s third driver. Now I respect the team, the sport, and all the staff even more than before. I wish you all the best for the future, and see you soon!”
Next chapter: Cadillac awaits
Now it’s time for Valtteri Bottas to dive headfirst into his new adventure with Cadillac, a team in desperate need of experienced F1 talent like the Finn. Valtteri hasn’t wasted any time and recently shared a glimpse of the cockpit that will be waiting for him at the factory: “It’s very nice… and it’s mine.”
From Mercedes rubbish bin to Cadillac race cockpit in a matter of days – only in F1 can a driver be literally thrown away one minute and handed the keys to a new project the next. Safe to say Valtteri took it all with his trademark grin.
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