Bottas to join Alfa Romeo Racing for 2022 on multi-year deal

Valtteri Bottas will leave Mercedes to join Alfa Romeo Racing for the 2022 Formula 1 season after signing a multi-year contract, the team announced Monday.

The 32-year-old will replace the retiring Kimi Raikkonen.

Bottas won nine races and finished on the podium 54 times since teaming up with Lewis Hamilton on Mercedes in 2017.

"This hasn't been an easy process or a straightforward decision for us," Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said, according to Fergal Walsh of Motorsport Week. "Valtteri has done a fantastic job over the past five seasons and he has made an essential contribution to our success and to our growth.

"Together with Lewis, he has built a benchmark partnership between two teammates in the sport, and that has been a valuable weapon in our championship battles and pushed us to achieve unprecedented success."

Williams driver George Russell is expected to replace Bottas on Mercedes next season.