Bottas dismisses exit speculation while Perez discusses his comeback.

      “They are fully supportive of me."

      Valtteri Bottas has dismissed rumors suggesting that Cadillac is contemplating replacing him, insisting that the speculation is merely an attempt for "headlines and clicks." The Finnish driver arrived in Monaco facing pressure after reports in Montreal indicated that the new American team might even consider a mid-season driver change due to Bottas’ struggles in comparison to teammate Sergio Perez. Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon has already firmly rejected these claims, and Bottas has echoed that sentiment. "It’s part of the sport," remarked the 36-year-old. "This isn't the first time I've encountered such rumors. It’s unfortunate that someone fabricates such nonsense, but that’s common in this sport." The ex-Mercedes driver expressed no worries about his position within the team. "I’m aware of my situation and the team is too," Bottas stated. "They are fully supportive of me, which is why I'm not overly concerned about it." When asked about the origin of such stories, Bottas did not hesitate, asserting, "Headlines and clicks, that’s my theory."

      While Perez has generally had a clear advantage in Cadillac’s inaugural season, Bottas claims there are technical reasons for the performance disparity. "We have identified issues with the power unit, as well as with the car's construction," he disclosed. "I’m confident we understand what went wrong." Perez, on the other hand, believes his strong performance this year demonstrates that his challenging final months at Red Bull do not accurately represent his capabilities. "Obviously, if you consider my last six months at Red Bull, you wouldn't necessarily think I was one of the best drivers in the world," the Mexican shared with France’s Auto Hebdo. "But when you understand the circumstances I was facing at that time, and when knowledgeable individuals analyze the level I’m currently showing with my team, it becomes clear that I’m among the best." Perez added that returning to a more competitive level has helped restore his confidence. "The way I struggled during my last season at Red Bull really hurt my confidence," he admitted. "When I got into the Ferrari and quickly got up to speed after just 10 laps, despite not having driven for a while, I thought: 'This is it.'"