Why the new Formula 1 team Cadillac does not want to enable a driver comeback at any price and why Valtteri Bottas still has a chance
Valtteri Bottas is a candidate for a Formula 1 cockpit at Cadillac. But for Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon, helping former Formula 1 drivers make a comeback is “not the biggest goal.”
Lowdon said on the High Performance podcast: “Everyone wants to prove themselves again, but our team isn’t here to serve as a stage for someone to prove something to the world.”
“In our team, someone can show what they can do – of course. However, we are not a vehicle for political statements.”
“The driver has to give his best for the team and should be motivated for the team around him. That’s why I’m less convinced by people who mainly want to settle a personal score,” said Lowdon.
Why Bottas is still a Cadillac candidate
Bottas remains a topic of interest for Cadillac. Team boss Lowdon explicitly excludes no one: “We’re talking to everyone because everyone wants this cockpit.”
Bottas himself has repeatedly hinted at Cadillac. For example, he posted a video of a Cadillac road car and made puns about the Cadillac seat in the vehicle.
It’s obvious that he’s speculating about the Cadillac “seat” in Formula 1. It’s probably his only chance to return to Formula 1 as a regular driver.
Toto Wolff promotes Bottas
According to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, Bottas “deserves” a regular cockpit in Formula 1. In a video posted by his racing team, Wolff said: “If one of our regular drivers suddenly got food poisoning, we would just put Valtteri in the car and he would be fast straight away.” That speaks for the Finn’s quality.
However, Bottas is currently only a reserve driver at Mercedes and does not have a regular seat in Formula 1. That could change for the 2026 season when US brand Cadillac joins the series – provided Bottas gets the nod.
Now Wolff has said about Bottas’ chances of a comeback: “Hopefully that door will open soon.” He then added meaningfully: “It remains exciting.”
Bottas has also recently been linked with Alpine, where Franco Colapinto is struggling. The Argentine has not scored any points as Jack Doohan’s successor and is under pressure within the team.
