Valtteri Bottas said Cadillac immediately contacted him to clarify rumors about his future in Formula 1. According to the Finn, the team assured him that speculations about a possible replacement by Colton Herta were “completely false.” Cadillac also publicly denied the information, emphasizing that Herta does not yet have an FIA (International Automobile Federation) Superlicense and remains focused on Formula 2 to achieve this goal.
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The rumors gained traction after a period where Bottas appeared to be behind Sergio Pérez in performance during the 2026 season. Later, however, it was revealed that the driver was facing problems related to his car’s power unit and chassis.
With the situation clarified, Bottas stated that he will not be part of F1’s so-called “silly season”: “It’s part of the sport,” he told the press. “Sometimes, some headlines appear that are not true. You know, that’s how things work. And, especially now with social media, people pick it up very quickly; things can go viral quite quickly.”
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The driver explained that he received the team’s support as soon as the rumors emerged: “Immediately when we saw the rumors, the team came to me and said: ‘This is completely false,’ and I also know what my situation is, so that’s why it’s all good. This is nothing new in my career, and for every driver, at some point, they will go through things like this. So, no ‘silly season’ for me.”
Bottas also praised Colton Herta and his contribution to Cadillac, highlighting the American’s different experience. “He has been supporting us in the simulator. He is still learning in F2, so he is definitely a good asset to have. He has different views from his past; he comes from a completely different category, with a different mindset and perspectives, so that can help us.”
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