Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner, dropped off the F1 grid at the end of 2024 after losing his seat at Sauber. He rejoined Mercedes in a reserve role, working alongside George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, while also contributing heavily through simulator work and trackside support for the Silver Arrows \u2013 the team he previously raced for between 2017 and 2021.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite being off the grid, Wolff stressed that Bottas remains as quick and reliable as ever. \u201cValtteri has been part of the Mercedes family for a long, long time,\u201d Wolff said in a mid-season review video released on Mercedes\u2019 social media channels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe is a driver that, if some of our guys had fish poisoning, you put him in the car and he\u2019s going to be absolutely on [the] pace. That\u2019s great to know that your reserve and third driver are as quick as it gets. But obviously, with Valtteri, he deserves a race seat. Hopefully, that door is going to open. Watch this space.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The \u201cdoor\u201d Wolff hinted at could well be with Cadillac, who are set to enter F1 in 2026 with backing from TWG Motorsports and General Motors, under the leadership of former Virgin Racing\/Marussia boss Graeme Lowdon. Bottas himself has already admitted that the project has caught his attention.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201c[It\u2019s] something new to F1, an American team with maybe a different view to the sport,\u201d Bottas told F1\u2019s Beyond The Grid podcast earlier this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf I were there as a driver, it would be actually very interesting because you can start from scratch. The team starts from zero. You could actually make a big influence on certain things, such as the direction to go, and that would be very motivating and rewarding when the success comes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201c[It\u2019s] something new to F1, an American team with maybe a different view to the sport,\u201d Bottas told F1\u2019s Beyond The Grid podcast earlier this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cadillac are yet to confirm either of its drivers for 2026, but alongside Bottas, former Red Bull racer and six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Perez has also been strongly linked with the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n