Bottas breaks silence as Cadillac F1 seat hangs in balance

Valtteri Bottas has finally addressed the growing uncertainty around his Cadillac F1 seat, insisting that nothing has changed — even as rumors swirl about potential replacements for 2027.

The Finn joined the new Cadillac team in 2026 after a year on the sidelines, hoping to help build the project long-term.

But less than one season in, his Grand Prix future looks in serious doubt.

Bottas has struggled for form compared to teammate Sergio Perez, who was recently rewarded with a contract extension keeping him at Cadillac through 2029.

Perez has consistently outqualified and outraced Bottas in the latter half of the season.

The 35-year-old has also suffered mechanical issues — including a massive crash in Mexico after a suspension failure and an engine failure in Austin.

Now, other names have emerged as potential replacements for 2027.

Speaking ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Bottas told The Athletic: "It's never nice, you know? It's just extra distraction."

"But of course, over the years, I've learned to deal with it," he said.

"It doesn't help anything. So it's a bit of a shame in a way. But it's just how this sport works."

Bottas acknowledged that Formula 1's growing popularity is fueling the speculation.

"The sport is getting more popular than it's ever been, and everyone wants to be in Formula 1," he said.

"Everyone wants to find a way to get into Formula 1, one way or another."

Despite the noise, Bottas said the team has given him no reason to worry.

"At the moment, nothing has changed," he said.

"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 believes a decision should come "soon," but noted the complex approval process within Cadillac's structure.

"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 emphasized.

"Everything needs to be approved before. But that's, I think, pretty soon."

What makes Cadillac's choice tricky is the lack of an obvious upgrade.

According to PlanetF1.com's understanding, the team still favors retaining Bottas for next season.

But the leading candidate to replace him is American driver Colton Herta.

Cadillac has given Herta the required FP1 appearances to earn the points needed for an FIA Super Licence, after a poor year in Formula 2 stymied his chances.

He finished one point short in Mexico but gets another practice run this weekend in Brazil.

Other names linked to the seat include Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti, who declared his interest after finishing third in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon have also been mentioned in reports.

Bottas, however, made it clear that he believes the drivers are not the team's biggest problem.

"I think it's pretty clear," Bottas said on media day for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, as reported by MotorBiscuit.

"It's pretty clear we have bigger problems to solve than the drivers at the moment. And yeah, I think Mexico was one."

Bottas feels he hasn't had a car that allows him to show what he can deliver.

"The team knows what they can get out of me," he said.

"Everything works well, and if I feel the car and then confidence. And I think they know that if they can give me a car, then I can deliver."

"But so far, they haven't really delivered a car that I can deliver in. So that's where we are."