Bottas Leads Race for 2026 Cadillac F1 Seat

Valtteri Bottas, currently Mercedes' reserve driver, has become the leading candidate to join the new Cadillac Formula 1 team for its 2026 debut after being dropped by Sauber at the end of 2024. Bottas has publicly expressed his interest in returning to F1 and intensified speculation by referencing the 'two free seats' at Cadillac on social media. Cadillac's team leaders, Graeme Lowdon and Dan Towriss, are set to hold meetings at the upcoming British Grand Prix to finalize their driver lineup, with a decision expected within weeks. While Sergio Perez remains in consideration, Bottas is now seen as the preferred option, depending on the team's strategy for experience versus youth. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff supports Bottas's F1 ambitions, though he notes Bottas's talent could lead him to other series if an F1 seat does not materialize. If Bottas secures the Cadillac seat, he will need to serve a five-place grid penalty in 2026 due to a previous racing incident.