Mario Andretti’s perfect Cadillac F1 candidate now open to talks over 2026 seat, they have to sign him

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Cadillac are less than a year away from making their debut in Formula 1 after lengthy discussions to enter the sport were finally successful last month.

Formula 1 will have 11 teams in the paddock for the first time since 2016 when a General Motors-backed Cadillac entry provide an additional American team for fans across the Atlantic to cheer for.

Last season’s driver’s market activities are going to make Cadillac’s efforts to secure two world-class racers for 2026 particularly difficult.

George Russell is unlikely to be interested in a move to Cadillac despite being arguably the highest-profile driver yet to sign a contract for next season.

It means Cadillac are going to have to think outside the box, and Mario Andretti is the man being tasked with helping the team find the right people for the job.

Sergio Perez has been linked with the Cadillac seat and recently spoken about the projects that are interesting him going forward.

However, Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas may be an even better fit and seems open to having a conversation about a return to the grid.

READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda was ‘probably bound’ for one Formula 1 team in 2026 before his Red Bull promotion

Valtteri Bottas open to Cadillac F1 talks over 2026 race seat

Speaking on the Nailing The Apex Podcast, journalist Tim Hauraney was talking about the situation within F1’s 11th team.

Discussing their options, he said: “With Sergio [Perez] comes the backing, so that’s the question, would they need that.

“And then what could a driver like Valtteri Bottas offer to them as well on the flipside.

“So, that is something that Valtteri is exploring; he, from my understanding, has wanted to have a conversation with the Cadillac F1 team.

“Whether or not they’ve had those conversations yet, I mean, who knows at this moment.

“I think it would make more sense for Cadillac to go after a driver like Valtteri than Sergio.

“Only because Sergio will have been removed from an F1 car for a year.”

READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin

Valtteri Bottas fits Mario Andretti’s ideal Cadillac Formula 1 driver

Andretti took part in an interview with ESPN Fans recently to talk about what he’s looking for in a potential Cadillac driver.

He explained: “I mean, you look out there at who is available, it’s easy, you can see who has the most experience.

“You want experience for sure, but we’re thinking very hard. I don’t have the final say, but I will have some influence.

“I have my own ideas and I hope that they…we speak all the time, we agree that we would all like to be on the same page.”

Bottas would be perfect for Cadillac in terms of the experience he’s previously had in Formula 1.

The Finn currently sits 14th on the all-time most Grand Prix starts in Formula 1, with fellow free agents Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo eighth and 10th respectively.

However, Cadillac will be using Ferrari engines, something Bottas has the most recent experience of during his spell with Sauber.

Bottas has also been praised for his feedback as a driver, something Cadillac will need a lot of during their first F1 campaign.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

What Valtteri Bottas has said about a potential return to Formula 1 with Cadillac

In a recent interview with Motorsport, Bottas discussed whether he’s in a strong position to return to Formula 1 next year.

The 35-year-old said: “This season will show. We’ve obviously got many rookie drivers and in this sport, you never know. Something can trigger again some changes within different teams and drivers.

“But it’s, for sure, for me, a very interesting option. It wouldn’t be an easy route, but if there’s a clear plan of how to get there, then it could be a really interesting project, which I think experience can help. So, let’s wait and see.

“I know [Cadillac team principal] Graeme Lowdon well. But I don’t think he’s making all the decisions. In the end, they’ve got a big company backing the project.

“Again, they’ve got a board and all these things, who make decisions or at least influence the decisions as this sport is still a business and there are politics involved.

“But, yeah, at least he’s seen me driving alongside Zhou [Guanyu] and he knows what I can do. He knows my past and my experience.”

Bottas is making all the right noises to be near the top of Cadillac’s list of potential drivers for next year.

If they decide on only hiring one experienced head, Perez’s North American connections and sponsorship backing might make him difficult to ignore.

However, if they base it on pure performance and a driver notorious for helping teams develop, Bottas is their perfect candidate.