Valtteri Bottas has confirmed he has already spoken to the people behind the General Motors 2026 Cadillac Formula 1 project over the prospects of a drive.
Bottas is out of a full-time F1 seat for the 2025 season, with Sauber confirming rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will line up alongside Nico Hulkenberg next season.
However, with Monday’s announcement that General Motors will join the F1 grid in 2026, two more full-time seats will be up for grabs.
Bottas, a 10-time GP winner could be just the experienced driver the Cadillac-branded F1 entry needs and the Finn has already started discussions.
“Yes [we’ve talked], I think for sure I’m not the only one, but of course, it’s interesting for me, and I think it’s great for F1,” Bottas revealed on Thursday ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
“Great brand, GM is a big backer behind so, for sure, it’s an interesting project.
“I think that’s just increased the chances of getting a seat for 2026, which ultimately is the goal. But, if not, then there are lots of other cool things in other series.”
Discussions ongoing over Mercedes 2025 F1 Reserve role, says Bottas
Concerning his immediate future, Bottas is engaged in talks with former employer Mercedes over a Reserve Driver role in 2025.
In that regard, a spot has just opened up, with Mick Schumacher confirming he’s severing ties with the German marque.
Bottas raced for Mercedes from 2017 through 2021, clinching his 10 GP victories with the Silver Arrows.
The Finn confirmed the two parties are “talking and, yes it’s going well. There’s still a bit of work to do, but we’re talking.”
He added that “if I were to take that role, it would be for sure, difficult to watch, but at the same time, I feel like I have lots of things I can give to the team.
“So, [Mercedes Team Principal] Toto [Wolff] knows what it gets from me and how I could help the team.”
Wolff told Viaplay last week that if Mercedes was to welcome Bottas back into the fold, the team would be “full of joy,” adding “if you have the opportunity to have a driver like Valtteri back in the Mercedes family, with his ability, with his most recent experience of these modern cars, you can deem yourself super lucky.”
While he didn’t call signing next year with Mercedes a “priority” Bottas admitted that “it’s a really solid option, and I really appreciate what Toto said last weekend.
“There’s, a still bit of work to do to finalise some things and it’s been a while that I’m now in the situation that I can decide, yes or no on some few different things now.
“So, just want to wait at least few more days, or one or two weeks, probably get over with the season, then sit down, and we’ll see.”
Bottas hopes that in signing a reserve role and staying in the F1 paddock for 2025, he can remain in the conversation for a 2026 drive at Caddilac.
“I feel like I’m not done yet with this sport,” he said.
“So, I think to be around, to be able to hopefully do some testing, etc., I think it gives me a chance for 2026, because in this sport, you just never know what happens.
“There is also a new team joining, which means two more seats. So, it obviously increases the opportunities for 2026.”
READ MORE – Valtteri Bottas open to F1 return with General Motors, dismisses Red Bull move
