George Russell believes that Valtteri Bottas' return to Mercedes will be "massive" for the team ahead of the 2025 Formula One season. 

Bottas, who was replaced by Russell at Mercedes in 2022, has rejoined the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver after seeing his contract at Sauber come to an end. 

The Finn partnered Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for four seasons, winning ten grand prix, securing 20 pole positions and claiming 58 of his 67 podium finishes with the team. 

Bottas finished a career-high second in the drivers' championship in 2019 and 2020, scoring his most points in an F1 season six years ago (326). 

He will join Russell and 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli in a new-look Mercedes line-up as they aim to improve on last season's fourth-placed finish in the constructors' championship. 

But Russell and Bottas have had their differences on the track, with the pair involved in a high-speed crash at Imola back in 2021. 

The incident saw Russell slap the helmet of the veteran driver, but the Briton insisted that the clash was firmly behind them and that he was excited to work with Bottas. 

"His experience is going to be massive. Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team is going to be great," Russell said. 

"Hearing about his last few years at Sauber with the Ferrari engine could be key. You have to keep an open mind as to what others are doing, and he has all of that under his belt."

"Obviously, years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown."

BREAKING: Valtteri Bottas returns to Mercedes

He will take the role of reserve driver at the Silver Arrows #F1 pic.twitter.com/q82DZI8ZIm

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 19, 2024

Russell also expressed his confidence in new team-mate Antonelli as he gears up for his first season in F1, having made his free practice debut at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix. 

He set the fastest lap before spinning out 10 minutes into the session, but the teenager has since featured alongside Russell in the post-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit, completing 62 laps and setting the fifth-fastest time overall.

Antonelli will become the first Italian driver to compete in F1 since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2021, as well as the third-youngest driver in the competition's history at 18 years and 203 days old, and Russell is confident his new team-mate has all the right ingredients to succeed. 

"He is such a fantastic driver. He does not have the experience yet, but I am sure he will be up to speed very quickly," Russell added. 

"He has already integrated so well. We have both been racing from a young age, and we know what needs to be fed back to the team.

"He is young, but his opinion will be just as valid."