Valtteri Bottas set to sign as first Cadillac F1 driver for 2026

Valtteri Bottas is reported to have reached an agreement with the Cadillac F1 team and is only awaiting to sign the deal as their first driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Multiple sources indicate that negotiations between the Finnish driver and the fledgling American outfit have successfully concluded, with the official announcement expected shortly after the summer break.

Valtteri Bottas who is currently serving as the Mercedes reserve driver has long been linked with the seat ever since Cadillac was confirmed to join the 2026 F1 grid.

However, rumours have heated up in recent months particularly after Bottas was spotted having a close conversation with Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon at the Monaco Grand Prix back in May.

The 35-year old who is well known for his sense of humour on social media sparked even more speculation in June after posting a video of himself in a Cadillac SUV, with his cryptic comments seeming to confirm his interest in the seat.

“What a nice seat,” Bottas said upon opening the door. “I see there are two seats – both seem free.”

Reports now claim the two parties have been holding talks throughout the season and are currently in the final stages of reaching an agreement with the official signing set to be confirmed at the Dutch Grand Prix when F1 returns from summer break.

Bottas, who was let go by Kick Sauber at the end of last season, has been vocal about his readiness and desire to return to full-time racing at the highest level claiming he is “not done yet with F1” and is keen to contribute more to the sport he has been part of for over a decade.

With the Cadillac F1 team preparing to make its highly anticipated 2026 F1 debut, his vast experience and proven track record would bring a strong foundation for the rookie squad aiming to compete at the highest level.

Bottas holds 12 consecutive seasons of experience headlined by a remarkable Mercedes tenure from 2017 to 2021 during which he achieved 10 Grand Prix victories, 20 pole positions, and 58 podium finishes.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has publicly backed Bottas’s return to full-time racing, praising his pace and expressing hope that opportunities like the Cadillac project will grant him a deserved competitive seat.

Valtteri Bottas completes Mercedes test as F1 return rumours swirl

Sergio Perez set to be Cadillac F1 team driver with confirmation imminent

While Cadillac has secured Bottas as the first driver, speculation remains regarding who will join him as the team’s second driver.

Earlier discussions mentioned Sergio Perez as a potential teammate alongside other names such as Felipe Drugovich, Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu, Yuki Tsunoda, and even some younger talents.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon previously confirmed Schumacher was under consideration for the seat after the former Haas driver was spotted holding talks with Cadillac representatives at the British GP.

Meanwhile, Guanyu’s close ties with Lowdon who served as his previous manager strongly links him to the seat.

However, reports claim that Cadillac stakeholders have settled on hiring experienced drivers and Perez was picked as the potential candidate with confirmation imminent.

The choice of the second driver will be critical in crafting a balanced driver lineup, potentially blending experience with youth or proven talent to support Cadillac’s debut season ambitions.

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