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Motorsport
Motorsport
Sport

Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 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 Motorsport.com found him, wheel gun in hand, in the Mercedes pitbox.

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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