Cadillac already know which driver they will replace if they sign Colton Herta for 2027

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Colton Herta is eyeing a Cadillac Formula 1 seat in the near future, and he could be replacing Valtteri Bottas, thanks to Sergio Perez’s contract.

The American driver switched to the European scene from IndyCar in 2026, competing in Formula 2 to try and obtain an FIA superlicense.

Valtteri Bottas will score more points than Sergio Perez for Cadillac in 2026 – Change our minds

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Cadillac chief Dan Towriss told Herta to ‘never speak’ about F1 again if he turned down F2 this season. He is pushing for a seat in the pinnacle of motorsport, and he might have an opportunity as early as 2027.

F1’s newcomers have two experienced drivers in 2026, in Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, who are proving vital in helping to build the team forward. But come 2027, one of them could be axed for Herta.

Sergio Perez has a ‘90% chance’ of having a better contract than Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac

Perez and Bottas are both 36 years old and likely do not have much time left in the sport. Cadillac are clearly preparing Herta for an F1 seat in the future with his F2 ventures in 2026.

Herta will take part in FP1 in Barcelona as the team look to give him mileage in an F1 car to boost his development. He is pushing to get a seat on the grid in 2027, as per journalist Julianne Cerasoli.

But who he would replace at Cadillac is another question, but according to Cerasoli, Perez has a ‘90% chance’ of having a better contract.

It would likely mean that Bottas would make way for Herta in 2027, should Cadillac choose to bring him up to F1.

Discussing the situation, she told UOL Esporte: “Ferrari has two teams on the grid: one is Haas, the other is Cadillac. It turns out that Cadillac has a certain Colton Herta who’s already been talking about being a driver next year, right, as a regular driver next year.

“And they, being a new team, aren’t going to swap two drivers and put in two inexperienced drivers. So, for Rafa Câmera, this move is very important, to understand which way Haas is heading and whether Ferrari is really missing the boat within the American team.

“It’s not about finishing the championship in a higher position; it’s about who secured the best deal. And look, I’ll tell you this. There’s a 90% chance that Perez secured the best deal.”