Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, has expressed strong support for his reserve driver and former teammate Valtteri Bottas to secure the coveted Valtteri Bottas Cadillac F1 seat when the all-American team enters Formula 1 in 2026. With Bottas already confirmed to be in negotiations with Cadillac, Wolff’s endorsement adds momentum to the Finnish driver’s potential return to the grid.
Following the first practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff reaffirmed his confidence in Bottas, highlighting the driver’s exceptional skills and readiness for a full-time race seat.
Mercedes Leadership Praises Bottas’ Contributions and Potential
Wolff emphasized Bottas as an essential member of the Mercedes team, stating,
“He deserves a drive. We have the best third driver and reserve you can imagine.”
He further praised Bottas’ role mentoring young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, describing it as “astonishing” and commending Bottas for sharing detailed guidance on racing lines using onboard data from other drivers.
He deserves a full-time drive and I’m happy with him if he were to achieve that.
—Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
Andrea Kimi Antonelli Benefits from Bottas’ Experience
Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been adapting quickly to Formula 1 after stepping in for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Bottas’ mentorship has played a vital role in supporting Antonelli’s growth both on and off the track. Antonelli acknowledged Bottas’ consistent availability and assistance during challenging moments, including at the Suzuka circuit.
Having Valtteri in the team obviously is great and it’s a great opportunity as well to use him and in a way, in the sense of asking him for advice,
Antonelli shared during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
So definitely, he’s been really helpful and he’s always there for me, trying to give me advice, especially when he sees that I’m struggling a little bit.
So when he sees that I’m a bit in a struggle, he’s always there trying to help me. I think a really good example was Suzuka as well.
I had a difficult three free practices, but as well with his help, I was able to overcome the moment. So yeah, I’m really trying to rely on him because he’s a really good help.
—Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 Driver
Bottas Positioned as Front-Runner for Cadillac’s 2026 Formula 1 Entry
With Bottas set to leave Sauber at the conclusion of the 2024 season, he has emerged as a leading candidate for the Cadillac F1 seat. The Finnish driver has openly expressed his eagerness to secure a permanent race role, seeing Cadillac’s entry as a prime opportunity.
In an interview on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Bottas discussed the timeline and his expectations about the deal. He acknowledged the team’s focus on developing their car for the upcoming season and said he hopes to know more about his plans by August.
I don’t think they’re in a massive rush,
Bottas said.
I know my timeline, when I want to know about next year and what plans do I need to make, which I think, August, more or less, is a pretty good target for that. But hopefully we’ll hear something more soon.
Current Standings and Bottas’ Integral Role with Mercedes
As McLaren leads the constructors‘ championship with 460 points, Mercedes is striving to hold onto the second position. Bottas’ contributions in the simulator, along with feedback from teammate George Russell, have been crucial in supporting the team’s performance and assisting Antonelli’s development.
Toto Wolff’s continued backing and the acknowledgment of Bottas’ value as both a driver and mentor suggest that the Finnish racer’s Formula 1 future remains promising as the sport’s landscape evolves with Cadillac’s imminent debut.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Yes, using the number 13 is allowed. Pastor Maldonado actually chose #13 when the permanent numbering system started in 2014. While some cultures view 13 as unlucky, F1 let the drivers decide their own numbers.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton’s experiences with ADHD and dyslexia have greatly impacted both his personal life and his racing career. His journey challenges traditional ideas about success in Formula 1 and highlights the importance of acknowledging learning differences.
Q. Is the number 13 banned in F1?
A. F1 driver number rules allow each driver to pick a permanent number between 2 and 99, except for 17, which they will use for their entire career.