Bottas faces risk of early dismissal by Cadillac in Formula 1

Valtteri Bottas’s disappointing performance in the first commitments of the 2026 Fórmula 1 season for Cadillac already worries the team’s management. Segundo to Sky Italia, internally the possibility of an early departure for the Finn is being discussed, who must still participate in the next stage in Mônaco before any decision is made. The driver has not yet scored points and has accumulated poor results since the start of the championship.

The Nordic driver’s situation reached critical proportions after just five races. Cadillac is far from satisfied with its performance and is evaluating changes to the driver grid. Caso Bottas has another disappointing performance in the narrow streets of the principality, according to the Italian broadcaster, its continuity in the category could come to an end.

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Colton Herta as a possible replacement

Cadillac is already preparing its plan B for the position. Colton Herta, the team’s test driver, has gained weight behind the scenes in recent weeks and is touted as a natural successor to Bottas. The 26-year-old American was hired before the start of the season as third driver and had already been considered for a permanent seat when Cadillac joined Fórmula 1, before the duo Bottas and Pérez were chosen.

Herta has done impressive work in testing and simulators, increasing its internal credibility within the American team. Sua promotion would represent a significant change in the Cadillac project for 2026.

Comparação with Pérez remains unfavorable

Nem Bottas nor Sergio Pérez have scored so far in the world championship. The Finn’s 13th place in China marks the pair’s best result this season, leaving Cadillac without important points in the dispute.

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Pérez demonstrates superior consistency, especially in the rankings, where he often finishes ahead of his Finnish teammate. The tenths of difference between the two highlights the performance gap. Essa disparity amplifies the questions raised about Bottas’s maintenance on the grid.

• Valtteri Bottas: best result = 13th place (China)
• Sergio Pérez: more consistent performance in qualifications
• Ambos the drivers: no championship points
• Colton Herta: third pilot of Cadillac since the beginning of 2026
• Próxima race: Mônaco, defining the future of Bottas

Precedentes on layoff this season

Bottas is not the first driver to face critical pressure in 2026. Esteban Ocon has also been the subject of rumors regarding a possible dismissal by Haas, with suggestions that he may not finish the season. Esses episodes indicate that teams move quickly in low-performance scenarios.

The volatility in the driver grid reflects the fierce competition and high expectations of the teams this season. A premature exit from Bottas would follow an increasingly common pattern in Fórmula 1 when results do not appear in the first few months.

Mônaco as turning point

The street race in Mônaco will be decisive. The glamorous circuit puts drivers under extreme pressure, requiring pinpoint precision and total concentration. A poor performance by Bottas in the French principality could trigger an official announcement of his departure.

The Cadillac team will observe every detail of the free practice session, qualifying and race. Qualquer oscillation will increase the pressure on the Finn. Management already has a contingency plan in Herta, making it clear that decisions can happen quickly.