)
Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas has firmly brushed off speculation regarding his future with Cadillac in Formula 1, insisting the situation remains calm and fully under control.
As the 2026 season enters its closing stages, vacant seats on the grid for next year are at a premium. Haas have yet to finalise the terms of Oliver Bearman's new deal, while Racing Bulls are still to confirm whether Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will be retained.
Cadillac were long expected to retain their current line-up of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. However, team principal Marcin Budkowski offered no firm assurances during Friday's FIA press conference, leaving the Finn's seat for the upcoming campaign in doubt.
"This is the last place I would discuss driver contracts. Such matters should not be dealt with through the media and will be announced via official team statements when the time is right," said Budkowski, who took over team leadership during the summer break.
Following qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas, Bottas addressed the swirling rumours with composure:
"I've heard some of the speculation, but I know my situation very well and everything is fine. That's Formula 1—everyone wants to be here, so this kind of talk is just part of the game."
Should the American outfit ultimately decide to part ways with the multiple Grand Prix winner at the end of the season, Colton Herta remains the frontrunner to take his place.
At the same time, Esteban Ocon—who is set to surrender his Haas seat to Rafael Camara next season—has also explored options with Cadillac. However, questions remain within the team's hierarchy over whether the Frenchman is the right fit for their ambitious project.
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)