Overview

• Multiple outlets report Bottas has signed with Cadillac for 2026, with an official presentation anticipated as soon as next week.
• Bottas has stayed active as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2025, and the team is eyeing Testing of Previous Cars outings later this year to accelerate preparation.
• The second seat remains open, with Sergio Perez widely linked and other names such as Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu, Colton Herta, Felipe Drugovich, and Jak Crawford also mentioned.
• Cadillac will enter as F1’s 11th team in 2026 using Ferrari power units before targeting a General Motors-built unit in 2029.
• Team leaders have stressed the value of experience for year one, while Ralf Schumacher cautions the operational build-out is the bigger challenge than finalizing drivers.