Valtteri Bottas, at 36 years old, is currently navigating his 13th Formula 1 season with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. The Finn, a veteran of 257 Grand Prix starts, joined the American outfit for their debut in the 2026 championship.
Cadillac has faced a challenging entry into the sport, currently sitting last in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship with zero points. After 11 rounds, the team remains the only constructor yet to score.
Bottas’s best result this season was a 13th-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix. His teammate, Sergio Perez, came close to points with an 11th-place finish in Monaco before a penalty.
The majority of Bottas’s career success, including 10 victories and 67 podiums, came during his tenure with Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton. This experience was a key factor in his multi-year contract with Cadillac.
Cadillac, backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, entered Formula 1 as the 11th team for 2026. They are utilising a Ferrari 067/6 power unit for their initial seasons, with GM planning its own engine from 2029.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon has acknowledged the difficulties of establishing a new F1 operation. Bottas has also noted ‘issues with the car, consistency of the parts’ and ‘lots of problem solving’ during the debut year.
Despite the team’s current position, Bottas remains confident in his future, stating in June that he ‘will definitely be here next year as well’ for 2027. He believes he is now driving at the level he should be.
Speculation regarding future driver lineups persists, with Cadillac test driver Colton Herta being prepared for a potential race seat. However, Bottas’s contract provides security for 2027.
Cadillac’s long-term ambition, as articulated by board director Mario Andretti, is to compete for wins and championships. The current season serves as a foundational development phase for the American team.
