Martin Brundle makes ‘need you back’ plea to 10-win driver amid 2026 Formula 1 seat rumours

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The Belgian Grand Prix represents the halfway point in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Oscar Piastri is leading the race for the drivers’ championship, but for some of his fellow drivers, the battle is simply to stay on the grid for next season.

The Formula 1 driver market could be a big talking point during the upcoming summer break, even if the majority of seats are already confirmed.

Max Verstappen is still on Mercedes’ radar, and until George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli sign new contracts, those rumours aren’t going to go away.

Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda is facing a very uncertain future at Red Bull, while both Racing Bulls drivers are yet to sign new deals for 2026.

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto is under pressure too, and several drivers have been linked with his seat.

There are a host of drivers not currently on the grid hoping to become permanent features in the paddock in 2026.

Martin Brundle has said in the build-up to the Belgian Grand Prix that there’s one out-of-work racer he thinks needs to be on the Formula 1 grid in 2026.

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

Valtteri Bottas told by Martin Brundle that Formula 1 needs him back at the Belgian Grand Prix

Brundle was joined by Nico Rosberg on his usual grid walk for Sky Sports F1 (27/7 1:41 pm) before a delayed Belgian Grand Prix.

They bumped into more ex-drivers than current racers, with Jos Verstappen, Jenson Button and Heikki Kovalainen all on the grid.

The pair then saw Valtteri Bottas, and Rosberg asked: “Valtteri, new contract with Cadillac?” to which Bottas cheekily replied: “I can’t hear you, sorry!”

Rosberg then said: “Just a rumour?” and Bottas added: “There are lots of rumours in this sport,” to which Rosberg remarked: “Thank you very much for the confirmation.”

As Bottas was walking away, Brundle then said: “Well, we look forward to talking to you on the grid next year!”

Bottas appreciated his comment and replied: “I hope that’s the case, thank you very much.”

Brundle concluded: “We need you back, we need you back, Valtteri.”

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

Will Valtteri Bottas be on the 2026 Formula 1 grid with Alpine or Cadillac?

Although Bottas is a Mercedes reserve driver, it appears as though his best chance of racing in Formula 1 next season is with a team elsewhere in the paddock.

Alpine reportedly have an offer on the table for Bottas, although a change all hinges on the form of Colapinto.

The Argentine has had a tough time at Spa, being eliminated in the first session of qualifying for both the Sprint Race and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Alpine will be a Mercedes customer team next year, which might appeal to Bottas, and explains why Flavio Briatore is considering the Finn.

The other option that could potentially be available to the 10-win F1 driver is Cadillac.

Bottas is one of Cadillac’s top choices, although team principal Graeme Lowdon isn’t committing to any driver pairing at this stage.

The 35-year-old is exceptionally popular among fans and commentators, as Brundle has declared.