Valtteri Bottas speaks out with Cadillac seat under threat - but who would replace him?
Valtteri Bottas spent a year on the sidelines before getting an F1 return with Cadillac in 2026, but less than one season on, his Grand Prix future looks in serious doubt.
Having struggled for form throughout the year compared to teammate Sergio Perez, other names have begun to emerge as potential replacements in 2027.
Now the Finn has had his say on the fight to save his F1 career.
Valtteri Bottas opens up on the threat to his Cadillac F1 seat
Valtteri Bottas joined the new Cadillac team this year with the hopes of a long-term stay, helping to build up the project as it aims to fight its way up the grid.
However, it’s his teammate Sergio Perez who’s been rewarded with a contract extension, keeping him at Cadillac till 2029.
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Bottas has been slower than Perez in qualifying and finishing well behind him in the races, but has suffered his fair share of mechanical issues too - he had a huge crash after suspension failure last time out in Mexico, and broke down with engine failure in Austin.
Prior to this weekend’s Sao Paulo GP, the Finn has now had a chance to give his view on the situation.
“It’s never nice, you know?” Bottas told The Athletic. “It’s just extra distraction. But of course, over the years, I’ve learned to deal with it.
“It doesn’t help anything. So it’s a bit of a shame in a way. But it’s just how this sport works. The sport is getting more popular than it’s ever been, and everyone wants to be in Formula 1."
He added: "Everyone wants to find a way to get into Formula 1, one way or another.”
What’s made Cadillac’s choice trickier is that there isn’t a candidate that would be an obvious upgrade on Bottas should it decide to make a change, contributing to a decision being delayed while Perez’s contract has been agreed.
“At the moment, nothing has changed,” said Bottas. “The team still seems to be happy with what I’m doing. I know what the target is, it’s long-term. I know what my terms are in the paper.
“So that’s why, to me at the moment, it’s just noise. That’s where we are.”
Bottas says he believes a decision should be made “soon”, but noted the moving parts in such a process.
“With this structure that we have, they always need all the approvals from the board, which includes GM [General Motors] members, [majority shareholder] TWG members, all these people,” he emphasised.
“Everything needs to be approved before. But that’s, I think, pretty soon.”
Who could replace Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac F1 team in 2027?
Colton Herta: The American hotshot
Should Cadillac decide not to continue with Valtteri Bottas, the leading candidate to replace him is Colton Herta.
Currently Cadillac’s ‘Test Driver’ due to not having accrued enough points for an F1 Super Licence needed to race in the world championship, the American has been running in Free Practice sessions to do so. He currently has 39 points, and is running in Sao Paulo FP1 to gain the final point.
However, the former IndyCar star hasn’t been on the pace of Perez, and has, by his one admission, been somewhat ragged at times when running in F1 sessions.
Frederik Vesti: The Mercedes man
Dane Frederik Vesti has long been on test and simulator duties for Mercedes, impressing many with his technical feedback and knowledge.
He clocked third fastest time as an ‘F1 Rookie’ in the Mexico City GP FP1, throwing his hat into the ring for the Cadillac seat.
Esteban Ocon: F1 reject’s final chance?
Esteban Ocon has managed to fall out with teammates and bosses at Force India, Alpine and Haas. Would Cadillac really take a chance on him?
Liam Lawson: New Zealand’s Raging Bull
Outspoken Liam Lawson has been massively impressive in the Red Bull junior squad this year, but now sees his seat under threat from F2 star Nikola Tsolov.
Would Cadillac offer him a new home?
Topics: Formula 1
James Elson
