F1 news: Valtteri Bottas hints at Formula 1 return with Cadillac entry
Valtteri Bottas has reignited excitement about a return to full-time Formula 1, teasing a seat with the newly founded Cadillac team set to debut in 2026.
Towards the end of 2024, the 35-year-old Finn confirmed discussions with General Motors and the Cadillac outfit.
Then, in late March at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix paddock, Bottas was spotted conversing with Cadillac representatives.
However, a recent move has only strengthened the feeling that something may already be in place behind the scenes.
‘I still have more to give’
The Finn has been unequivocal about not being done with F1. In a candid discussion on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Bottas admitted the hunger has only grown during his time on the sidelines:
“I still have more to give. It’s still [the] number one thing in my life. That sensation, now that I’ve been watching aside, has got stronger and stronger and stronger, and now I really start to miss racing.”
He stressed that the new regulations and the novelty of Cadillac’s project present a rare opportunity to influence a team from the ground up, making it a motivational and rewarding challenge.
Cadillac’s entry into F1 adds two new seats to the grid in 2026.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon has indicated that while the team is eager to field talent, they’re not in a rush.
It has also been emphasised that driver selection will be merit-based, possibly featuring an American alongside a seasoned veteran.
Reports suggest that Bottas is among several top contenders for the experienced seat, with Sergio Perez also in consideration.
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What’s next?
Behind the scenes, Bottas is maintaining momentum by returning to Mercedes as their reserve driver for 2025, a role that keeps him physically and mentally sharp for a potential 2026 race seat.
Then, recently, on June 23, Bottas took to social media to stoke speculation further.
In a playful clip he posted on social media, he approached a Cadillac SUV and quipped about how “nice” the seat looked.
When a voice-off asked if he wanted in, Bottas paused and replied simply, “Not yet.”
Was that a subtle confirmation?
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