Valtteri Bottas Sparks F1 Comeback Speculation with Cadillac Tease
Rumors are swirling around the potential return of Valtteri Bottas to Formula 1 in 2026, this time with the Cadillac team, following a cryptic social media post by the Mercedes reserve driver. Bottas found himself back in the Mercedes fold in a reserve capacity for the 2025 F1 season after losing his race seat at Sauber. However, the Finnish driver has his sights set on a full-fledged comeback with Cadillac for the upcoming season.
The speculation gained traction after it was revealed that Bottas had initially signed a contract to stay with Sauber for the current season before the team’s transition to Audi for 2026 led them to opt for Gabriel Bortoleto instead. Left with limited options, Bottas rejoined Mercedes, the team where he achieved all 10 of his F1 victories, as a reserve driver.
In a recent social media post, Bottas hinted at a possible collaboration with Cadillac by sharing a video where he is seen inspecting a Cadillac road car. The clip shows the 35-year-old exploring the vehicle and expressing admiration for the driver’s seat, leading to speculation about his future plans in the sport. Bottas teased, “Oh wow, that’s actually a nice seat. I wouldn’t mind.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has voiced his support for Bottas, suggesting that if a return to Formula 1 doesn’t materialize, the talented driver could find success in other racing series such as IndyCar or the World Endurance Championship. Wolff commended Bottas’s ambition and skills, indicating a bright future for the Finnish driver regardless of the outcome of his F1 aspirations.
As Cadillac prepares to join the F1 grid in 2026, the team has been vocal about its driver selection strategy, aiming to pair an experienced F1 driver with a promising American talent. While Bottas remains a strong contender for one of the seats, other names like Guanyu Zhou have also been linked to the team. Zhou, a former teammate of Bottas at Sauber and Ferrari’s current reserve driver, brings both skill and sponsorship potential to the table.
Furthermore, Cadillac’s technical partnership with Ferrari until at least the end of the 2028 season has raised expectations for the team’s performance in the upcoming years. Reports of discussions with seasoned driver Sergio Perez have fueled anticipation for Cadillac’s debut season, with the Mexican driver’s presence at the Miami Grand Prix adding fuel to the speculations.
With the F1 driver market still in flux, fans eagerly await official announcements from Cadillac regarding their lineup for the 2026 season. As the motorsport world buzzes with excitement over Bottas’s potential return and Cadillac’s entry into the sport, all eyes are on the developments leading up to the upcoming season.
