Bottas dismisses exit speculation while Perez discusses resurgence.

      "They are fully supportive of me."

      Valtteri Bottas has refuted rumors suggesting that Cadillac might be contemplating his replacement, asserting that the speculation is merely an attempt for "headlines and clicks." The Finn arrived in Monaco facing pressure after reports surfaced in Montreal indicating that the new American team could even entertain a mid-season driver switch amid Bottas’ challenges compared to teammate Sergio Perez. Cadillac's team principal Graeme Lowdon has strongly denied these claims, and Bottas has echoed the denial. "It's part of the sport," stated the 36-year-old. "This isn't the first time I've had to contend with such rumors. It's unfortunate that someone fabricates such nonsense, but it's typical in this sport." The former Mercedes driver expressed no concerns regarding his standing within the team. "I know my situation, and the team is aware of it," Bottas clarified. "They are fully supportive of me, which is why I'm not overly concerned." When questioned about the origin of such stories, Bottas quickly responded, "Headlines and clicks. That's my theory." While Perez has predominantly outperformed Bottas in Cadillac's inaugural season, Bottas maintains that there are technical explanations for the disparity in their performances. "We've identified an issue with the power unit, as well as with the car's structure," he disclosed. "I'm confident and believe we now comprehend what went awry." Meanwhile, Perez feels that his strong performance this year demonstrates that his challenging final months at Red Bull do not accurately reflect his capabilities. "If you consider my last six months at Red Bull, you might not think I was one of the best drivers in the world," the Mexican told France’s Auto Hebdo. "But when you grasp the circumstances I faced during that time, and when those familiar with performance observe the level I’m achieving with my team, you realize that I’m among the best." Perez noted that finding his competitive edge again has bolstered his confidence. "The way I struggled during my last season at Red Bull really affected my confidence," he acknowledged. "When I got into the Ferrari and quickly found my rhythm after only 10 laps, without having driven for a while, I thought: 'That’s it.'"