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Autosport
Autosport
Sport

The key advantage for Bottas vs Perez in the 2026 F1 return race

The best visualisation of just how different Formula 1 life has become for Valtteri Bottas was formed in 2025 Bahrain pre-season testing, when Autosport found him in the Mercedes pitbox with a wheelgun in his hand.

But the Finn wasn’t starting a new role as a mechanic for the Silver Arrows squad. It’s just that as Mercedes’ 2025 test and reserve driver, filming social media skits is part of the requirement. And that’s something that just comes naturally to Bottas.

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