Valtteri Bottas is positioning himself for a return to full-time Formula 1 racing in 2026, with discussions already underway with General Motors (GM) about a potential drive for its new Cadillac-branded team. With Bottas set to lose his Sauber seat to rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in 2025, the experienced Finn sees Cadillac’s arrival as a golden opportunity to extend his F1 career.
Bottas Confirms Talks with GM
Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner, confirmed during the Qatar GP weekend that he has spoken to the key figures behind Cadillac’s F1 project.
“Yes, we’ve talked. I’m not the only one, but of course, it’s interesting for me,” Bottas revealed. “GM is a great brand, and it’s a big backer behind this project, which makes it exciting. I think it’s great for F1.”
With two new seats opening when GM enters the sport in 2026, Bottas’ pedigree could make him the perfect fit for a team seeking an experienced driver to lead its debut season.
“This increases the chances of getting a seat for 2026, which is ultimately the goal. But if not, there are other cool things in other series,” Bottas added.
A Return to Mercedes on the Horizon?
In the meantime, Bottas is exploring a Reserve Driver role with Mercedes, a team he raced for from 2017 to 2021, clinching all 10 of his GP victories and helping secure multiple Constructors’ Championships.
With Mick Schumacher departing as Mercedes’ reserve driver, Bottas is in talks with Toto Wolff about returning to the team in a supportive capacity for 2025.
“We’re talking, and it’s going well,” Bottas said. “Toto knows what he gets from me and how I could help the team.”
Wolff recently expressed enthusiasm for Bottas’ potential return, telling Viaplay:
“If you have the opportunity to have a driver like Valtteri back in the Mercedes family, you can deem yourself super lucky.”
The Cadillac Opportunity
Bottas views the Cadillac project as a chance to reestablish himself as a key figure on the F1 grid. With GM’s entry set to bring two new full-time seats to the sport, the Finn is confident his experience will make him an attractive candidate.
“I feel like I’m not done yet with this sport,” Bottas stated. “Being around, hopefully doing some testing, gives me a chance for 2026 because in this sport, you just never know what happens.”
Cadillac’s entry promises to inject fresh excitement into F1, and Bottas’ skillset and familiarity with modern F1 cars make him a prime contender to lead the team in its debut season.
Looking Ahead: Bottas’ Strategic Positioning
Bottas is leveraging his experience and adaptability to keep his options open, whether it’s through a reserve role with a top team like Mercedes or staking his claim for a future Cadillac seat. His approach ensures he remains a visible and valuable asset in the F1 paddock as the sport enters a pivotal new era.
For Bottas, the journey isn’t over yet. With a potential return to Mercedes and a Cadillac opportunity on the horizon, the Finn is determined to keep his F1 dreams alive.
