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By Saajan Jogia
Sports Contributing Writer
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Mercedes Formula One reserve driver Valtteri Bottas has dropped a big hint of his potential move to the Cadillac F1 team in its debut year in 2026. Bottas rejoined Mercedes after ending his F1 journey with the Sauber team at the end of last year.
The Cadillac F1 team is all set to enter the F1 grid next year and preparations have been ongoing in full swing. Cadillac's arrival syncs with the sport's entry into a new era of regulations, where cars will be powered by an equal ratio of electric power and internal combustion on sustainable fuels.
While Bottas failed to secure a full-time seat for 2025, he has been eyeing several opportunities to return to the grid. However, Cadillac has remained tight-lipped about the drivers it has shortlisted for next year. Bottas and former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez were rumored to be in talks with the American outfit and now, Bottas' most recent post on X has raised eyebrows.
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The Finnish driver was recorded approaching a Cadillac SUV, with the cameraman pointing at the seat saying "That's a nice seat!"
Impressed, Bottas affirmed as he touched the seat, prompting the cameraman to point out that there are two seats. Bottas then asked if "they're both free."
When he was asked if he wanted to sit in there, Bottas replied saying "not yet."
The video could also be a subtle hint from Bottas to his fans that though no deal has been signed yet, talks are underway and a potential signing announcement could be made in the future.
Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon revealed in April that the new outfit is considering a veteran driver and acknowledged that the team has spoken to "seven or eight drivers."
Bottas revealed why Cadillac was an ideal team for a driver like him, considering it was starting everything from scratch. Newsweek Sports reported his comments:
"I think they have a few drivers on the list. I would imagine my experience will help because now I've raced in three different teams, with one of the teams having mega success. With Williams as well, we had some great results, so I hope I'm in a good position.
"I know my timeline, when I want to know about next year and what plans I need to make, which I think is more or less August, which is a pretty good target for that, and hopefully, we'll hear something more soon.
"For me, I actually see a very interesting project, something new to F1, an American team with maybe a different view to the sport.
"If I were there as a driver, it would be very interesting because you can start from scratch.
"The team starts from zero. You could actually make a big influence on certain things, which direction to go, and that would be very motivating and rewarding when the success comes.
"I think the rule change is always a good point to jump in because you just never know, if you suddenly get it right, you might actually be doing really well from the get-go."
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