Bottas nears Cadillac F1 return for 2026 with two-driver lineup talks

Valtteri Bottas is edging toward a Formula One comeback with Cadillac for the 2026 season, with discussions about a two-driver lineup intensifying as the summer break approaches. The Finn, who has been serving as a Mercedes reserve and was previously with Sauber, is understood to be nearing a formal agreement to join Cadillac, led by Graeme Lowdon, after months of widespread speculation tied to the American team's debut initiative. While Bottas has yet to sign on the dotted line, those involved say the two parties are in the final stages of negotiations and that an official announcement could come in the coming weeks, potentially around the summer break or during the initial weeks after.

The Cadillac project, backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, is preparing a deliberately seasoned entry into F1 for 2026. The team is anticipated to run Ferrari power units as it starts, with a timeline to begin developing its own power units by 2029. In 2026, Cadillac plans to use a partnership approach that allows its drivers to adapt to the new configuration and the evolving technical rules. The emphasis on experience reflects the team’s aim to establish credibility from day one, even...