Jul.25 (GMM) Experiences from a number of sources counsel that Valtteri Bottas is now the main candidate for a 2026 race seat with Cadillac – as the brand new American works staff works on its debut lineup.
Swiss newspaper Blick, forward of the Belgian GP, claims Bottas will go away his Mercedes reserve position to anchor Cadillac’s first F1 marketing campaign, with Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich additionally more likely to be signed.
“Reserve driver Bottas will go away Mercedes for debutant Cadillac,” Blick reported. “Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich can also be anticipated to affix the staff.
“However the German media continues to dream of Mick Schumacher.”
Bottas, who was dropped by Sauber on the finish of 2024, didn’t rating a single level final season. Nico Hulkenberg, his alternative on the rebranding, Audi-owned staff, stood on the rostrum at Silverstone.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, uncle of Mick, advised Sky Deutschland he was unconvinced by Cadillac’s reported route.
“For those who take a look at the place Sauber was final yr and the place they’re at this time, the reply is Bottas,” Ralf stated bluntly.
He additionally dismissed Zhou Guanyu, Bottas’ former teammate, as a viable candidate: “I can’t think about Guanyu Zhou as a result of the US and China don’t precisely have the perfect relationship in the intervening time.”
Whereas Bottas and Drugovich at the moment are seen as frontrunners, conflicting alerts stay over Mick Schumacher’s standing. The 25-year-old, presently driving in WEC for Alpine, was beforehand in talks with Cadillac and had been publicly talked about by senior figures on the undertaking.
In line with f1-insider.com, additional “exploratory talks” involving Schumacher are nonetheless anticipated this weekend at Spa.
German shops RTL, ntv, and sport.de additionally report that Cadillac has made “no official determination” and has not dominated Schumacher out. Sport1 cautioned that the unique report about Bottas and Drugovich “ought to be handled with warning,” noting that Cadillac, Bottas, and Schumacher haven’t commented.
“In line with analysis, there hasn’t been a cancellation but,” Sport1 added.
Nevertheless, the general route of hypothesis suggests Mick’s likelihood is fading. Ralf Schumacher, although, insists his nephew stays a robust choice.
“After I see who’s nonetheless there, who has a little bit of expertise and nonetheless potential to enhance, then Mick is actually one of many good candidates,” he stated. “Mick has nice potential, and that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Ralf additionally recommended that if Sergio Perez – lengthy rumoured to be within the Cadillac body – can carry sponsorship, he may but be probably the most smart decide.
“So far as Perez is worried, one generally is a bit fairer when one considers what got here after him, in comparison with Max Verstappen,” Ralf stated. “In fact, if he additionally brings the cash, which is essential in the beginning, I can actually think about it.”
