F1 driver could lose his seat after Monaco GP as team plot extraordinary replacement

A Formula One driver could lose his seat after just five races as a rising star could come in and take his place on the grid.

The 2026 F1 season has been heavily disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that led to the cancellations of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix.

Despite this, we have now had five races this season, giving teams enough time to evaluate their drivers and how they have adjusted to the new 2026 regulations.

As it stands, Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli is leading the Drivers' Championship standings having picked up 131 points with four wins and five podiums.

Meanwhile at the other end of the table, Nico Hulkenberg joins Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso and as well as Cadillac pair Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as the only drivers yet to secure even one point.

And it appears one of these drivers at the bottom of the table may not get the chance to pick up a point this season, as their seat is already under risk ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend.

As per Sky Sports Italia, Bottas' performances this season have raised questions over his future at Cadillac, with the Finnish driver behind his team-mate in a head-to-head, albeit only by one with a pretty even three-two.

Although commentators at the recent Canadian Grand Prix admitted that Bottas' place in F1 was at risk ahead of 2027, Cadillac themselves have offered no signs that they are unhappy with Bottas' performances and are looking to replace him this year.

Despite this, the report claims that the team have already selected a driver to take his seat.

Who could replace Bottas at Cadillac?

If Bottas was to lose his place in F1, it is widely expected that he would be replaced by Cadillac's test driver and F2 star Colton Herta as the 26-year-old American's stock in motorsport continues to rise.

In his last race back in Montreal, Herta finished ninth in the sprint race and seventh in the feature race, leading to him taking 12th place in the overall 22-man drivers' standings.

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But bringing in such a young driver who is yet to get any experience racing an F1 car would come as a major surprise given Cadillac's determination to commit to an experienced debut lineup with Perez and Bottas.

Ahead of the 2026 season, Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon said: "We are already reaping the benefits. You can see how both drivers help the mechanics with targeted feedback."