Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon has firmly dismissed speculation suggesting that Valtteri Bottas could already be under pressure after just five races of the Formula 1 season. Rumors had emerged in recent weeks questioning the Finnish driver’s future with the American team, particularly in comparison to teammate Sergio Perez.
After both drivers returned to Formula 1 following a year away from the grid, some observers suggested that Bottas had found it more difficult to adapt to the new environment than Perez. Those claims quickly fueled speculation that Cadillac could even consider a driver change during the early stages of the championship.
Graeme Lowdon issues a clear response
Lowdon addressed the rumors directly in an interview with RN365, making it clear that there is absolutely no truth behind the reports.
“There is no basis whatsoever, no truth in any of those rumors. I can say that categorically,” Lowdon stated.
He went on to emphasize just how unfounded he believes the speculation to be: “Where do I even begin with these rumors? I’ll make it very, very clear: they are completely wrong. There is absolutely no truth in any of them,” he added.
The Cadillac team principal also highlighted the extraordinary workload currently being carried by both drivers as the team continues to build its Formula 1 operation while simultaneously competing on track: “Secondly, if you look at the work both drivers are doing, they are doing far more than drivers at some other teams have to do because we are building the team while we are already racing, and that is a very unusual task,” Lowdon explained.
He noted that people outside the organization may not fully appreciate the demands being placed on the drivers, not only during race weekends but also in terms of helping develop the car and shape the team’s long-term project.
Cadillac exceeding early expectations
Lowdon also pointed out that before the season began, many predicted Cadillac would struggle even to remain within the 107% qualifying threshold. Instead, the team has proven far more competitive than many expected.
One notable example came in Montreal, where Cadillac narrowly missed out on a place in SQ2 during Sprint qualifying by only a tiny margin. “So not only is there no truth in these rumors, but there is no logic in what people are saying either,” Lowdon concluded on the matter.
The most extreme rumors make no sense
The Cadillac boss appeared particularly surprised by reports suggesting that Bottas could be immediately replaced by reserve driver Colton Herta: “Also, regarding the rumors, some of the things I’ve read don’t even seem to take into account some of the basic Formula 1 regulations,” Lowdon said.
He then pointed out that Herta currently does not possess enough FIA Super Licence points to be eligible for an immediate Formula 1 race seat, making such a scenario impossible under the current regulations.
Lowdon also clarified the role each driver plays within Cadillac’s broader Formula 1 project: “Colton has a program that he’s working on. Checo has a program with us that he’s working on, and Valtteri Bottas is exactly the same. They are all contributing in their own way to what we are trying to achieve as we establish the Cadillac team,” he explained.
The team principal finished by delivering perhaps his strongest statement yet on the issue.
“But it’s very important to make absolutely clear that there is not even the slightest amount of truth or real evidence behind any of the rumors suggesting that Valtteri’s seat is at risk, or that Checo could be heading to another team.”
With those comments, Cadillac has left little room for interpretation, making it clear that both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez remain central figures in the team’s plans as it continues building its Formula 1 future.
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