Valtteri Bottas Talks Future: Focused on Returning to F1 but Has a Plan B — “Not Thinking About WEC”
Finnish racing driver Valtteri Bottas has never hidden his ambitions for the future: he wants to return to Formula 1 as a full-time race driver. Following the end of his stint with the Stake F1 Team (formerly Alfa Romeo) at the conclusion of the 2023 Formula 1 season, the experienced driver from Nastola, Finland, made the important decision to stay active within the F1 paddock by accepting the challenging role of reserve and third driver at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team — the very same team with which he won 10 Grands Prix and fought for the world title in multiple seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton.
The move was a strategic one. At 35 years old, Valtteri Bottas is keeping himself sharp and visible within the elite motorsport environment, and it may pay off. Increasing speculation has linked him to a potential seat at the incoming Cadillac Formula 1 Team, which will make its debut on the grid in 2026. Discussions are actively ongoing, and Bottas is reportedly among the front-runners for one of the two available race seats.
During the 2025 British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, top executives from the Cadillac Formula 1 project are expected to be present in the paddock. Among their many scheduled appointments will be meetings with the management teams of various drivers currently under consideration. The team aims to confirm its lead driver in the coming weeks, while the decision regarding the second seat may extend into September.
Valtteri Bottas in the Mix for Cadillac F1 Seat
For some time now, various candidates have been circulating for Cadillac’s debut driver lineup. Initially, Red Bull Racing’s current driver Sergio Pérez was considered the main experienced name on the list of team principal Graeme Lowdon. However, in recent weeks, Valtteri Bottas’s name has strongly re-emerged as a viable and strategic option.
According to recent paddock rumors and insider reports, the former Mercedes and Williams driver may now have a slight advantage over Sergio Pérez in the race for the first seat. Much will depend on whether Cadillac’s leadership prefers to start with two experienced drivers or opt for a more balanced mix by pairing a seasoned veteran with a promising young talent.
Adding to the speculation is a playful video that Valtteri Bottas himself shared on his social media channels, which fans and journalists immediately interpreted as a clue. In the clip, Valtteri Bottas is seen approaching a Cadillac model, commenting, “Nice seat,” before placing his hand on the driver’s seat and joking, “I see there are two seats here — they both look available,” before being invited to try sitting inside.
If Not Formula 1… Then What?
Valtteri Bottas’s future appears to be unfolding clearly, as he had already hinted in an exclusive interview a few weeks ago. When asked about alternatives to Formula 1, Valtteri Bottas acknowledged that he is considering other categories but remains laser-focused on returning to the grid in F1.
The Finnish driver confirmed that he is actively working toward securing a Formula 1 seat for the 2026 season, explaining:
“I hope to be back in Formula 1. That is my goal, and it’s why I’m putting in the work for next year. It’s true that Mercedes is entering the World Endurance Championship (WEC), but I’m not thinking about that at the moment.”
He added that although WEC is not currently in his plans, he does have a potential “Plan B” if a return to Formula 1 does not materialize: “If I’m not back in Formula 1, I would like to have a backup plan. A valid option for me could be IndyCar. I’m open to evaluating all the options, but right now, my focus remains entirely on Mercedes and finding a way back into Formula 1.”
When asked whether he has ever considered a future in professional cycling — a sport he is passionate about and frequently practices — Bottas laughed and said: “Always, always! I really enjoy cycling — it’s true.”
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