Axed F1 star RETURNS in 'home' statement

An axed Formula 1 star has expressed joy as he returns to a former team after failing to secure a full-time race seat ahead of the 2025 season.

With less than a month to go until the season-opening grand prix, all 10 teams and their drivers are preparing their full lineup for the grueling championship campaign that lies ahead.

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Thanks to Lewis Hamilton's blockbuster move from Mercedes to Ferrari, only two teams on the 2025 grid are running the same driver lineup as last season.

Constructors' champions McLaren have put their trust once again in the stellar driver duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and Aston Martin have also chosen to retain Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

After Hamilton's shock exit from the Silver Arrows, Toto Wolff opted to promote the team's junior driver Kimi Antonelli into his first full-time seat in the pinnacle of motorsport, where the 18-year-old will partner George Russell.

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Mercedes welcome Bottas 'home'

To complete their lineup, Wolff welcomed Hamilton's former team-mate Valtteri Bottas back to the Brackley-based outfit with his knowledge and expertise a key factor in recruiting him to assist Antonelli as he learns the ropes in his rookie season.

Ahead of Bottas' honorary home grand prix in Melbourne on March 16, Mercedes have taken to Instagram to share a lighthearted video where Bottas can be seen lapping up the perks of his return, clearly excited to be back with the outfit.

Although the contract may not see him race full-time again in 2025, Bottas' return to Mercedes was a much-needed move after three years of fighting at the back of the pack with Sauber.

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