Valtteri Bottas’s future at the Cadillac Formula 1® Team remains uncertain as the 2027 driver lineup begins to take shape. Despite returning to the grid in 2026 after a year as Mercedes’ third driver, Cadillac has yet to confirm whether it will exercise the option to retain Bottas for the following season.
Throughout the 2026 season, Bottas has faced significant challenges, including reliability issues that have resulted in eight retirements, the second-highest number among drivers this year. Meanwhile, his teammate Sergio Perez has extended his contract with Cadillac until at least 2029, having outperformed Bottas in qualifying sessions and race finishes so far.
Cadillac values Bottas’s experience and technical feedback, which have been important for the team’s development. However, with Perez’s contract extension secured, the team is reconsidering its driver strategy for 2027. One of the main contenders for Bottas’s seat is Colton Herta, Cadillac’s test driver, who is close to obtaining the necessary super licence points to compete in Formula 1®. Herta is set to participate in the first practice session at the Mexico Grand Prix to secure his final point.
Other drivers, such as Esteban Ocon and Yuki Tsunoda, have also been mentioned as potential candidates for the second Cadillac seat, though they are considered outsiders compared to Bottas and Herta. The team is not rushing its decision, keeping options open while assessing performance and readiness.
For Bottas, the 2027 seat is far from guaranteed despite his current status as the favourite. His season’s reliability struggles and Perez’s strong form have shifted the dynamics within the team. Meanwhile, Herta’s progression through the super licence system and involvement in race weekends signal that Cadillac is preparing for a possible change.
The situation highlights the competitive nature of driver lineups in Formula 1®, where experience must be balanced against emerging talent and consistent performance. Cadillac’s approach reflects this balance as it plans for the future beyond 2026.
At this stage, no official announcement has been made regarding Bottas’s contract for 2027. The ongoing evaluation underscores the complexities teams face in finalising their driver rosters amid evolving circumstances in the championship.