Bottas' F1 return confirmed: This makes his next chapter special!

14:04, 26 Aug

byKada Sarkozi

It has now become official: Valtteri Bottas will compete for the Cadillac F1 team in the 2026 season.

After a gap year, Bottas is set to return as a full-time driver in Formula 1. The Finn drove for Sauber in 2024, and is Mercedes' third driver in 2025.

During the Belgian Grand Prix, GPblog could reveal that Bottas will drive for the 11th team that is set to join for next year. Earlier today, he also dropped a hint on social media, riding the waves in a suit and tie, holding the American flag.

Bottas reacts to the next chapter ahead

"From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It's not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid," Bottas said.

“I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here. This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me."

"I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step,” he concluded.