Cadillac is considering dropping Valtteri Bottas from its Formula 1 team with its test driver and current Formula 2 hopeful Colton Herta in the frame to replace him, according to reports.
The American squad is now five races into its maiden season in the sport, having chosen Bottas and teammate Sergio Perez as its first-ever driver line-up.
Choosing to veterans came at a cost of criticism when the announcement was made midway through last season, with fans voicing support for a rookie driver to have been given at least one of the seats with the Silverstone-based American outfit.
But the choice of two highly-experienced drivers was a logical one, particularly as both were out of racing, each sharing a highly-public keenness to return.
Both men sat out 2025 through similar circumstances, with Bottas losing his drive with Sauber, and Perez losing his with Red Bull, the latter being a particularly contentious topic.
Perez’s firing came so late that there was no alternative in any context, being forced to sit out the entire season, but Bottas was able to return to previous team Mercedes, as its reserve driver.
Now back and despite no doubt each giving valuable information to the team in regards of its on and off-track development, there are now whispers that the Finn’s involvement with the team may not stretch too much further.
Is Herta waiting for his F1 chance with Cadillac?
According to reports by both Sky Italia and German publication BILD, Bottas’ lack of performance in comparison to Perez could cost him his seat.
The reports continue that, should this be the case, former IndyCar star Herta, who has taken on the test role – as well as a Cadillac-backed Hitech driver in F2 – as a way into F1 in the future, is standing by.
However, the American will be required to earn the necessary FIA Super License points first, in order to obtain the drive.
But his reputation has reportedly grown within the team’s ranks already, giving him a distinct edge should a decision be reached.
Bottas’ hiring by Cadillac was the subject of much speculation across 2025, with Motorsport Week reporting in June that he and Team Principal Graeme Lowdon appeared in close unity during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
And, of course, there was the hilarious social media post, in which Bottas acted out discovering a Cadillac Escalade road car, opening the door and proclaiming it was a “nice seat”.
When asked for comment, a Cadillac spokesperson told Motorsport Week that they “strongly refuted the claims.”
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