Valtteri Bottas has reiterated that IndyCar remains his “plan B” option for 2026 if he cannot secure a full-time Formula 1 seat. The Finnish driver has reportedly risen to the top of Cadillac’s list of driver prospects as the American manufacturer prepares to enter the F1 series next year. According to Autosport, Cadillac plans to hold discussions with the management te ams of potential drivers during the British Grand Prix weekend from July 4 to 6, with Bottas considered the leading candidate, having overtaken Sergio Perez, who is currently without a seat after leaving Red Bull in 2024.
In a recent interview with the Italian publication Formula1.it, Bottas, who is currently a Mercedes reserve driver, spoke about his backup plan for 2026 and addressed the possibility of joining Mercedes’ World Endurance Championship (WEC) team, which returned to endurance racing with Iron Lynx in 2025. Bottas stated, “I hope to still be in Formula One (in 2026), which remains my goal and that’s why I’m here today, working for next year from all points of view. It’s true, Mercedes is entering the WEC, but I don’t think about it.” He expressed a preference to remain in open-wheel racing, saying, “If I’m not in F1, I would like to have a plan B, and a good option could be IndyCar. However, I am open to evaluating all options. But I repeat, for now I remain focused on the present in Mercedes and on the search for a seat in F1”.
Earlier this year, Bottas had turned down offers from IndyCar teams for the 2025 season, feeling that jumping into a full IndyCar season immediately after 12 consecutive years in F1 would come too quickly and require significant adaptation. He preferred to take some time to consider his next move carefully. Bottas revealed that he had been approached by IndyCar teams but made it clear that 2025 was too soon for such a transition. Subsequently, he rejoined Mercedes as a reserve driver and continues to engage fans with social media content.
The upcoming British Grand Prix weekend is expected to be a critical moment for Bottas, as Cadillac’s senior management, including team principal Graeme Lowdon and Dan Towriss, head of the TWG Group behind the project, will meet with driver representatives to finalize driver lineups. While Sergio Perez was initially considered the frontrunner for a seat, his absence from recent talks has elevated Bottas as the stronger candidate. The decision will likely depend on the criteria Cadillac prioritizes for its inaugural F1 season.
Bottas himself has hinted at his intentions through social media, posting a cryptic video inspecting a Cadillac SUV’s driver’s seat and commenting, “What a nice seat… I see there are two seats – both seem free,” fueling speculation about his future plans.
Despite the uncertainty, Bottas remains hopeful about returning to full-time F1 racing in 2026, especially with the addition of Cadillac as a new team, which increases available seats. He acknowledges that being involved in testing and staying active within the sport in 2025 would improve his chances for a 2026 race seat. Bottas also mentioned that he is open to a long-term commitment in IndyCar if it becomes necessary but prefers to focus on F1 for now.
In summary, Valtteri Bottas is actively pursuing a return to Formula 1 in 2026, with Cadillac F1 emerging as the most likely option. IndyCar remains a viable backup plan, but he has postponed any immediate move there to keep his focus on securing an F1 seat. Cadillac’s driver selection process will be a key factor in his future, with important discussions scheduled during the British Grand Prix weekend.
