
Ralf criticizes Bottas connections as Cadillac driver's competition heats up.
The German media continues to hold onto hopes for Mick Schumacher.
Reports from various sources indicate that Valtteri Bottas is emerging as the top contender for a 2026 race seat with Cadillac, as the new American works team finalizes its debut lineup. According to the Swiss publication Blick, prior to the Belgian GP, Bottas is set to leave his role as a Mercedes reserve driver to lead Cadillac's inaugural F1 campaign, with Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich also expected to join the team. "Reserve driver Bottas will depart Mercedes for the newcomer Cadillac," Blick reported. "Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich is also anticipated to join the squad. However, the German media continues to hold onto dreams of Mick Schumacher." Bottas, who was let go by Sauber at the end of 2024, did not earn any points last season. Nico Hulkenberg, who replaced him at the rebranded Audi-owned team, managed to stand on the podium at Silverstone.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, Mick’s uncle, expressed skepticism regarding Cadillac’s reported plans. "If you consider where Sauber was last year compared to now, the answer is Bottas," Ralf stated plainly. He also ruled out Zhou Guanyu, Bottas' former teammate, as a suitable candidate: "I can't see Guanyu Zhou as a possibility because the US and China are not exactly on the best terms at the moment."
While Bottas and Drugovich are currently viewed as leading candidates, there are still mixed signals about Mick Schumacher's situation. The 25-year-old, who is currently racing in the WEC for Alpine, had previously been in discussions with Cadillac and had been publicly mentioned by prominent figures in the project. According to f1-insider.com, additional "exploratory talks" regarding Schumacher are anticipated this weekend at Spa. German media outlets RTL, ntv, and sport.de also note that Cadillac has made "no official decisions" and has not ruled Schumacher out. Sport1 warned that the initial report about Bottas and Drugovich should be viewed with skepticism, highlighting that Cadillac, Bottas, and Schumacher have not provided comments. "Our research indicates that no cancellation has been made yet," Sport1 added.
Nonetheless, the prevailing narrative suggests Mick’s prospects are diminishing. Ralf Schumacher, however, maintains that his nephew is still a strong candidate. "When I look at who is still available, who has some experience and potential for growth, Mick is certainly among the prime options," he stated. "Mick has significant potential, which should not be overlooked." Ralf also noted that if Sergio Perez—which has been rumored to be a potential candidate for Cadillac—can provide sponsorship, he might be the most logical choice. "Regarding Perez, one can be a bit fairer when comparing what followed him in contrast to Max Verstappen," Ralf explained. "Of course, if he also brings the funding, which is crucial at the outset, I can definitely envision it."

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Ralf criticizes Bottas connections as Cadillac driver's competition heats up.
Formula 1 | Various sources indicate that Valtteri Bottas is currently the top contender for a 2026 race seat with Cadillac - as the new American (…)