Bottas a Strong Contender for Cadillac F1 Seat
Valtteri Bottas, currently a reserve driver for Mercedes, is poised as a frontrunner to fill a seat with Cadillac Racing as the team prepares to enter Formula 1 next season. Key figures from Cadillac, including team principal Graeme Lowdon and TWG Group head Dan Towriss, are set to attend the British Grand Prix next month to advance driver negotiations.
The team aims to finalize one driver contract within weeks, while discussions for a second seat may extend into September. Initially, Sergio Perez was considered the leading candidate, but his absence has opened the door for other experienced drivers.
Bottas has expressed a clear desire to return to full-time racing after being released by Sauber at the end of the previous season. Recent insider reports suggest he is now viewed as a prominent option. The team’s decision will hinge on whether they prefer a pairing of two experienced drivers or a mix of experience and youth. If they opt for the latter, Bottas may compete directly with Perez for the second seat, though he currently holds an advantage.
Bottas recently shared a video on social media featuring a Cadillac SUV, further fueling speculation about his potential role with the team. “What a nice seat,” he remarked in the clip, hinting at his interest.
Should Cadillac pursue a balance of experience and youth, Felipe Drugovich may be in contention for the second seat. Despite his tenure as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, Drugovich lacks firm prospects within the team, suggesting that movement to Cadillac could represent a viable opportunity for him.
As negotiations progress, Bottas and Drugovich’s future will be closely monitored by industry insiders, with Cadillac’s strategy becoming increasingly apparent.
