Valtteri Bottas faces an uncertain future with Cadillac’s Formula 1 team, with multiple reports suggesting the American outfit is considering replacing the Finnish veteran with test driver Colton Herta. According to Sky Italia and German publication BILD, Bottas’ underwhelming performance compared to teammate Sergio Perez has put his seat at risk just five races into Cadillac’s inaugural F1 campaign.
The speculation comes despite Cadillac’s strategic decision to pair two experienced drivers for their entry into Formula 1. Both Bottas and Perez were without drives heading into 2025, with Bottas departing Sauber while Perez was released by Red Bull in controversial circumstances. The choice of veterans over rookie talent drew criticism from fans who felt the Silverstone-based team should have given opportunities to younger drivers.
Herta, who currently serves as Cadillac’s test driver while competing for Hitech in Formula 2, has reportedly impressed team officials and positioned himself as the leading candidate should a driver change occur. However, the American would need to secure the necessary FIA Super License points before being eligible for a race seat. His growing reputation within Cadillac’s ranks gives him a significant advantage in any potential succession scenario.
The relationship between Bottas and Cadillac appeared strong during the 2025 season, with the pair showing unity during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Bottas even featured in a social media campaign where he humorously “discovered” a Cadillac Escalade road car. When approached for comment on the replacement rumors, a Cadillac spokesperson told Motorsport Week they “strongly refuted the claims,” suggesting the team remains committed to their current driver lineup for now.