Bottas, Cadillac’s First Big Move

According to RacingNews365, Bottas, currently a reserve driver for Mercedes, has already signed with Cadillac F1, with the official announcement expected in the coming days. The move comes at a decisive moment, as the American team needs to finalize its lineup quickly to conduct TPC tests (with older cars) before the end of the year.

The Finnish driver’s arrival strengthens Cadillac’s strategy of betting on experience for its Formula 1 debut. With 246 Grand Prix starts, 20 victories, 20 pole positions, and 67 podium finishes, along with five Constructors’ Championships with Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, Bottas offers the team a solid foundation for its entry into the top tier of motorsport.

In addition, the relationship between the driver and team principal Graeme Lowdon played a key role. Lowdon is well aware of Bottas’ abilities, having worked as manager of Guanyu Zhou, his former teammate at Sauber.

What About Checo Pérez’s Future?

Although not yet official, all signs suggest that Checo Pérez will be announced as Cadillac’s second driver after the summer break. The Mexican, who recently changed management, could find in the American outfit a chance to relaunch his career after his time at Red Bull.

In this scenario, Cadillac F1 would begin its new era with two high-profile names, combining experience with marketability. However, questions remain over whether Bottas will immediately step down from his reserve role at Mercedes, where he has been instrumental in the development of 18-year-old talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli, or if he will juggle both responsibilities until the team’s structure is fully settled.

Just days away from turning 36, Bottas is preparing for what could be his last big adventure in Formula 1, now as a leading figure for a team aiming to make an impact from its debut in 2026. For now, the signing marks a major shakeup in the driver market and raises expectations about Cadillac’s definitive lineup.