Valtteri Bottas still believes the door back to F1 is open, optimistic about his options for 2026. The news of Cadillac joining the grid in 2026 gives Bottas another route back to F1 – and there have already been talks.
Bottas on Cadillac’s radar
Even without Cadillac’s confirmed 2026 entry, next year’s driver market was likely to be an active one.
Teams like VCARB, Alpine and Williams can be expected to feature heavily in next year’s “silly season.”
With that said, the addition of Cadillac as an 11th team adds another intriguing dynamic.
The US outfit have already set some of the characteristics they want in their driver pairing.
Having an American driver is one of their priorities, with Colton Herta being a front-running candidate.
The biggest obstacle for Herta’s F1 chances could be his Super License points. The 24-year-old must finish next year’s IndyCar season in the top positions to be eligible for an F1 seat.
Regardless of whether he achieves this, Cadillac have revealed they want at least one driver with F1 experience.
Links with former teammate Zhou Guanyu
Valtteri Bottas, like many of those to miss out in this year’s driver shuffle, meets this criteria.
With 10 race wins and dozens of podiums to his name, the Finn would be a huge asset to a debuting team like Cadillac.
Teams rarely secure drivers with such accomplishments in their first F1 seasons.
Then again, he is not the only free agent with experience.
Another important factor to consider is Cadillac’s recently confirmed team principal, Graeme Lowdon.
The 59-year-old is part of Zhou Guanyu’s management team, giving the Chinese driver a potential opening with the US outfit.
Speaking to racingnews365, Bottas spoke about the dynamics at play for a Cadillac seat:
“Well, there’s going to be two more seats,” he explained.
“They need drivers, they need experience. So, of course, that’s very, very interesting.
“We [Bottas and Zhou] have good relations with Graeme.
“I don’t think it makes it more difficult for me. If anything, he’s seen what I can do and bring to the team. So I see that as a possibility.”
Bottas in the mix, but no certainties
There are reports that Bottas has already spoken with Cadillac’s leadership about a 2026 seat.
The Mercedes reserve driver won’t be the only driver targeting a seat with the American squad.
Former Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer boasted that 14 drivers contacted him after Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri chose to leave the team in 2022.
Although the exact number of drivers in talks with Cadillac is unknown, it seems clear there will be interest.
Still, Valtteri Bottas is currently the biggest name linked with the team.
He commands weight in the market, and will certainly be one of their main considerations.
Then again, even before this year began, Bottas was also confident about securing a 2025 seat. As the last twelve months have shown the Finn, nothing is guaranteed in Formula 1.
Conscious of this fact, the 35-year-old must keep his pulse on the ebbs and flows of next year’s market.
Should things fall his way, a return to F1 is still a realistic possibility.
