Overview

• Cadillac confirmed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as its race drivers for the team’s 2026 entry earlier this week ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.
• Toto Wolff said Mercedes will part ways with Bottas at year-end, praising his contribution as third driver and mentor to Kimi Antonelli in 2025.
• Valtteri Bottas acknowledged he held talks with Alpine but chose Cadillac, citing the scope of the project and a multi‑year, ground‑up build he first discussed with Graeme Lowdon two years ago.
• Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore said a Bottas race deal was never seriously on the table and claimed Alpine’s outreach helped his Cadillac agreement from a marketing standpoint.
• Reaction across the paddock frames Cadillac’s choice as cautious, and Mercedes is now weighing 2026 reserve options, with reports pointing to Fred Vesti or a return for Mick Schumacher.