Valtteri Bottas opens door to ‘short-term’ move to £1.5bn F1 team before joining Cadillac after confirming ‘discussions’

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Valtteri Bottas is determined to return to the Formula 1 grid, and he might even make a comeback before any potential move to Cadillac ahead of the team’s F1 debut in 2026.

The Finn has emerged as the favourite to lead Cadillac into the pinnacle of motorsport next season after F1 confirmed that the General Motors brand will become the 11th team in the paddock. It is even said that Bottas has agreed on the terms of his Cadillac contract already.

Bottas is yet to put pen to paper on a deal to join Cadillac ahead of the 2026 F1 season, with negotiations still ongoing to finalise the final details of his contract. The 35-year-old has also noted that he hopes to know “what’s next” in August, as he strives to return to F1 promptly.

The 2025 season marked the first term in which Bottas has not featured on the grid since he debuted in F1 with Williams back in 2013. He failed to get another seat after Audi opted not to extend the 10-time Grand Prix winner’s contract for Sauber following the 2024 campaign.

Valtteri Bottas opens the door to a ‘short-term’ stint at Alpine before joining Cadillac

Bottas returned to Mercedes this year, having raced for the Silver Arrows between 2017 and 2021, as a reserve driver to stay in the paddock. But his desire to return to a race seat might see the 20-time polesitter on the grid in 2025 after opening the door to a ‘short-term’ move.

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

While negotiations with Cadillac are ongoing, it is not ruled out that Bottas could join Alpine for the rest of the 2025 F1 season. Questions continue to persist about the future of Franco Colapinto in Enstone, as the 22-year-old has yet to justify why Alpine replaced Jack Doohan.

Should Alpine decide over the summer break to drop Colapinto, then Bottas might come in before joining Cadillac in 2026. And the Finn has just opened his door to joining the £1.5bn-valued Alpine F1 team after confirming his willingness to accept a ‘short-term’ project now.

“I want to be back on the grid,” Bottas has told Sky Germany. “That’s my goal. Hopefully, I’ll know what’s next in August. I’m looking at something long-term, but something short-term would also be OK. Discussions are taking place. There’ll be more time to talk in August.”

Ralf Schumacher has heard that Valtteri Bottas to Cadillac in 2026 is a done deal

Any move by Alpine to replace Colapinto with Bottas would likely be a short-term option, as Ralf Schumacher has heard that the 67-time Grand Prix podium finisher’s agreement to join Cadillac in 2026 is ‘settled’. The only question left for Cadillac is who will partner with Bottas.

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

Schumacher also told Sky Germany: “I think it’s good for such a new team to have at least one experienced driver like Valtteri Bottas. From what we hear, that’s settled. We’re curious about the number two.”

Cadillac are still yet to sign a driver to lead the General Motors brand into F1 in 2026, having opted to bide their time and watch the F1 driver market. But Bottas looks like the favourite, and he may be joined by a rookie if Cadillac elect against hiring two veterans for their debut.

Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich has emerged as Cadillac’s favourite teammate for Bottas if the American outfit opt for a mixture of youth and experience. Cadillac believe the Brazilian is a driver they can mould to become their F1 team leader when Bottas retires.