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Victor Petkov
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Bottas becomes top contender for Cadillac spot in 2026 driver lineup
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The Finn could bring to the team much needed experience and pace to the develop the car in their debut season

Since confirming their entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season, Cadillac has been at the center of speculation regarding its future driver lineup. With excitement surrounding the American manufacturer’s debut, the focus has increasingly shifted to which drivers will lead their campaign on the grid.

Several names have emerged as potential candidates, including established F1 figures Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Zhou Guanyu, and 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich. However, recent reports suggest that Bottas is gaining momentum as the preferred option for the team.

The Finnish driver, who has 10 Grand Prix victories under his belt and extensive experience from his time at Mercedes and Alfa Romeo/Sauber, is reportedly in a strong negotiating position. His profile offers Cadillac a valuable combination of technical insight, consistency, and proven performance — key traits for a team building from the ground up.

While Sergio Perez was previously viewed as a frontrunner due to his sponsorship appeal and marketability, especially in the Americas, recent updates from Motorsport indicate that Cadillac now sees Bottas as the more strategic fit. This shift could be due to performance concerns over Perez’s form at Red Bull, or a greater emphasis on Bottas’ engineering feedback and leadership skills in a development-focused role.