The agreement between Bottas and Cadillac has already been 'resolved.'

      "Negotiations are underway"

      Valtteri Bottas has indicated that he is still striving for a full-time return to Formula 1 in 2026, as speculation about his connection to Cadillac’s new team intensifies. "I want to return to the grid," the 35-year-old stated to Sky Deutschland in Hungary. "That is my objective." He confirmed that negotiations are ongoing but stated that no agreement has been finalized. "I hope to have clarity on what comes next by August," he remarked. "I’m considering a long-term opportunity, but a short-term one would also be acceptable."

      "Negotiations are underway," the Finnish driver reiterated. "There will be more opportunities to discuss in August." His statements follow increasing reports suggesting that Bottas is the leading candidate to lead Cadillac’s entry into F1, possibly alongside Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich.

      Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher expressed to Sky Deutschland that he believes a deal is already in place. "I think it’s beneficial for a new team to have at least one experienced driver like Valtteri Bottas," Schumacher remarked. "From what we have heard, that is settled. We are eager to see who the second driver will be."

      As reported by Austria’s Kleine Zeitung, one potential candidate is Sergio Perez, who is also being linked to Alpine. The Mexican driver is thought to have support from his influential backers, including Carlos Slim, while struggling Alpine rookie Franco Colapinto’s position is reportedly in jeopardy.

      Yuki Tsunoda has also been mentioned as a possible choice for Cadillac, as Red Bull reassesses its driver lineup—particularly with Honda set to associate with Aston Martin. When asked about Tsunoda's future, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko told Sport1: "Our driver evaluation typically occurs after the summer break. At present, everything is uncertain. We are assessing their performances—both positive and negative."