Valtteri Bottas rejects doubts over Cadillac seat for 2027

Valtteri Bottas says he expects to remain with Cadillac in 2027, despite team principal Marcin Budkowski refusing to confirm whether the team’s current drivers will stay next season.

The Finn said he understood the terms of the deal he signed before joining Cadillac and had received no reason to believe his place was at risk. Speculation has grown amid concerns about his recent qualifying and race pace, with several names mentioned as possible alternatives.

Budkowski leaves Cadillac’s driver plans open

Asked at Friday’s press conference during the United States Grand Prix whether Esteban Ocon could be considered for a reserve role, Budkowski said drivers and their representatives had been contacting him. He declined to identify anyone, adding that the press conference was not the place to discuss Cadillac’s line-up.

Budkowski was similarly non-committal when asked whether Bottas and Sergio Perez had valid contracts for 2027. He said any announcement about driver contracts would come from the team through an official release when appropriate.

Both drivers signed multi-year agreements when they joined Cadillac for 2026. The terms governing any continuation into 2027 have not been made clear.

Ocon, who lost his Haas seat to Formula 2 championship leader Rafael Camara, has been raised in speculation around Bottas’ position. Cadillac test driver Colton Herta and Red Bull reserve Yuki Tsunoda have also been mentioned as possible contenders.

Bottas says he has no reason for concern

Bottas said he had not been aware of Budkowski’s comments and was not troubled by them. Asked whether Cadillac had reassured him about 2027, he pointed to the terms agreed when he signed and said matters were in order.

The 264-race veteran acknowledged that circumstances can change in Formula 1, but said Cadillac appeared satisfied with what he was delivering. He did not suggest that a departure was being discussed.

The exchange leaves the team’s public position deliberately unresolved, while Bottas remains confident that his contract provides a clear path into next season. F1LivePulse has previously followed questions around Bottas’ Cadillac seat and the uncertainty surrounding his return to the team.