Why Bottas remains favourite for Cadillac’s 2027 seat

Valtteri Bottas remains the leading candidate to keep his Cadillac seat for 2027, but the team has not yet committed to the contract option that would retain him. With Sergio Perez secured for the future, Cadillac is weighing whether to stick with experience or promote Colton Herta.

Bottas returned to the grid this season after a year as Mercedes’ third driver, but his comeback has been disrupted by reliability problems. He retired with a suspected power unit issue in Austin, his eighth retirement of the campaign. Only Lance Stroll, with 11, has recorded more.

Perez has held the statistical edge

Bottas has not had a clear run to demonstrate his pace, while Perez has generally come out ahead in the available comparisons. Cadillac has often used differing strategies and approaches across its two cars as it develops, a caveat when assessing the figures, but the numbers still favour the Mexican.

Perez leads their qualifying head-to-head 10-8. In races where both drivers reached the finish, he has beaten Bottas 6-1, and he has recorded the team’s fastest lap at 14 Grands Prix, compared with three for Bottas. Our closer look at Perez’s advantage over Bottas examines the same contest.

Cadillac is understood to value Bottas’ contribution beyond the results. He has helped galvanise the team and communicate feedback about the car, while his P13 remains the team’s best result so far. But with Perez’s place settled, Cadillac can consider whether its second seat should continue to prioritise experience.

Herta’s super licence could open the door

The team has long expressed interest in having an American driver, while stressing that any appointment must be earned on merit. Herta, already a Cadillac test driver, has struggled in Formula 2 and sits 19th in the standings. However, he has impressed Cadillac during four FP1 appearances this year.

He is also close to securing the points required for a super licence. One more point is needed, and completing at least 100km in another FP1 session would provide it. Sources say Herta is set to drive in first practice in Mexico to reach that threshold.

That would leave Cadillac with the option of promoting him if it decides against retaining Bottas. Esteban Ocon, after parting ways with Haas, is hoping an opening might emerge, while Red Bull reserve Yuki Tsunoda has also been linked with the seat. Both are considered outsiders.

With most other line-ups settled, Cadillac is under no immediate pressure to decide. Bottas remains favourite, but Herta is firmly in the running. The uncertainty around the incumbent’s future has also featured in our report on Bottas’ response to doubts over his 2027 seat.