Bottas addresses rumors about his Cadillac future: 'That's how it goes in Formula 1'

Entering the final part of the 2026 Formula 1 season, few seats remain open for next year. Haas still needs to finalize the details of Oliver Bearman's next deal, while Racing Bulls will almost certainly continue with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.

For a long time, it seemed that Cadillac would also retain both of its drivers, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. However, team boss Marcin Budkowski did not confirm this during Friday's FIA press conference. GPblog also understands that it is far from certain that Bottas would stay on for next year.

Budkowski, who was appointed during the summer break, said: "Again, this is the last place I would comment on driver contracts, and in general, I think it’s not something that is done in the press. It’s something which will be done by official releases from the team when the time is right."

Bottas was also asked about the rumors. Speaking at the Circuit of the Americas after qualifying, the Finnish driver explained that he is not worried: "No. I mean, I've heard some rumors, but I know my situation, and it's all good. So it's Formula 1. Everyone wants to be in Formula 1, so that's how it goes."

Should Cadillac decide to let Bottas go at the end of the season, Colton Herta is the most serious candidate to replace the former F1 Grand Prix winner, GPblog has previously learned.

GPblog has also previously reported that Esteban Ocon, who will be replaced by Rafael Camara at Haas next season, has sounded out the American team about the possibility of joining them. However, there is internal uncertainty over whether Ocon would be the right man to take the project forward.